Young voters gathered at a bar in Portland, Maine, to follow the 2026 US midterm election results, celebrating as Democrats secured control of the Senate and made major gains across the country.
The celebrations came as Democrat Troy Jackson defeated longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins in Maine, ending her bid for a sixth term. Jackson, 58, a former state Senate president and fifth-generation logger, campaigned on the rising cost of living, particularly housing and healthcare.
His victory was another significant gain for Democrats in a state where Collins had survived several tough re-election battles.
For some young voters, the results marked an emotional turning point after years of political frustration.