New polls shows Democrats El-Sayed, Pappas, in the lead for two crucial Senate races

Democratic Senate candidates hold five-point leads in Michigan and New Hampshire, while Republican Senator Susan Collins remains ahead in Maine, according to new New York Times/Siena University polls.

In Michigan, Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed leads his Republican opponent by five percentage points.

Democratic Congressman Chris Pappas is also ahead of his Republican challenger in New Hampshire.

Both seats are currently held by Democrats and are considered important to the party’s efforts to maintain its position in the Senate after the midterm elections.

Things are tougher in Maine, however, where Collins leads Democratic nominee Troy Jackson by three points, according to the poll.

Jackson entered the race after Democratic nominee Graham Platner resigned during the summer following allegations of sexual misconduct.

The Maine poll was largely completed before ProPublica published an investigation into Collins’ relationship with defence contractor Navatek.

ProPublica reported that the FBI sought in 2024 to investigate allegations involving Collins and a major donor.

Collins’ office has denied allegations of bribery and pay-for-play, calling the claims “outlandish.” The FBI told ProPublica that an earlier investigation had found nothing implicating Collins or her campaign.