Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson is leading the Democratic race for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Susan Collins.
Jackson’s momentum came after former nominee Graham Plattner dropped out of the race on July 10 amid rape allegations, which Plattner denied.
Jackson is currently the overwhelming favorite for the July 25 Democratic National Convention due to overwhelming support from county caucus delegates. On Saturday, the first day of county representative selection, Jackson’s delegates won nearly 300 of the 319 open seats.
Also read: Who is the top contender to replace Graham Plattner? Maine Senate race explained
5 things you need to know about Troy Jackson
1. Jackson’s occupation was a lumberjack. Jackson, a logger from north Allagash who rose to prominence in Maine politics through organized labor, has long been a supporter of progressives.
Given Jackson’s long history of supporting similar ideas, he was able to quickly portray himself as the candidate best suited to the Oyster Man who won the Senate primary.
He campaigned with Plattner during the original primary. However, Jackson quickly asked Plattner to withdraw from the competition after reports emerged that his ex-partner claimed Jackson sexually abused her.
2. Jackson opposed U.S. military aid to Israel. One of Jackson’s most high-profile policy positions involved Israel and Gaza.
Entering the Senate race, Jackson publicly described Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide.” He promised that if elected to the Senate, he would “never vote” for U.S. taxpayer-funded military aid to Israel.
“Anyone with eyes and a heart knows that the Israeli government is committing genocide in Gaza,” Jackson wrote on X.
3. Jackson is a seasoned leader who has worked in Maine politics for more than two decades. Jackson, a lumberjack by trade, had long considered himself a champion of Main’s working class. He served in the Maine Senate for more than 20 years and served as Senate President from 2018 to 2024.
Jackson unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for governor earlier this year. Although he finished third, he maintained strong support among progressive voters and has now entered the Senate race after Platner dropped out.
Also read: The red flags that led to Graham Plattner’s implosion were hidden in plain sight
4. His platform reflects Bernie Sanders-style progressivism. Jackson remained consistent with progressive economic policies throughout his political career.
Jackson also previously received support from Sen. Bernie Sanders during his gubernatorial campaign and made repeated appeals to working-class voters.
The progressive logger and lawmaker supports higher taxes on billionaires, stronger labor protections and less corporate influence in politics. CNN also reported that Jackson supports abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is close to Sanders’ ideology.
5. Jackson supports Medicare for All. Jackson favored “Medicare for All,” a universal health care policy. Jackson favored “Medicare for All,” a universal health care policy.
Our Revolution, a national progressive advocacy group, said “Troy has established a record of standing with Maine’s workers, unions and rural communities long before this Senate seat came up.”
In a post competing against Susan Collins, Jackson Wrote”, “I will vote for Medicare for All in the U.S. Senate. Susan Collins, on the other hand, recently helped push through $990 billion in Medicaid cuts so that the wealthiest Americans could get another tax break. We may both be from Aroostook County, but we are not the same. “
