PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine seized the opportunity during a debate with Democratic challenger Sara Gideon to point out that she’s busy legislating during the pandemic.

She took a jab at the Maine House speaker by saying Gideon adjourned the Legislature in March and “has done absolutely nothing since then to respond to the COVID crisis.”

Gideon retorted that it’s been six months since the Senate adopted any relief that states and families are waiting for.

The closely watched race is the costliest in Maine history and one of a handful that could tip the party balance in the Senate.