Maine Democrat U.S. Senate Nominee Visits Welding School
Maine’s Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, Troy Jackson, made a stop at People’s Inclusive Welding in South Portland during a tour over the Labor Day weekend. He praised the school’s focus on inclusivity and expressed his commitment to supporting apprenticeship programs like the one at this facility.
According to reports, Jackson visited the hands-on welding training center on Saturday as part of his effort to connect with working Mainers. “Making people feel included is how we are going to do a lot better across this state and country,” Jackson mentioned during his visit.
The school’s owner, Jo Remillard, noted in an interview that funding for workforce training has significantly decreased. She highlighted that having the word “inclusive” in their name may hinder their eligibility for federal funds, even as they work hard to train skilled workers for Maine’s infrastructure needs.
Jackson voiced his support for apprenticeship programs, promising to advocate for increased funding if he is successful in his campaign. People’s Inclusive Welding aims to create a safe and supportive atmosphere for underserved communities, providing training in welding along with education about workers’ rights to help them secure well-paying jobs in the blue-collar sector.
The school’s handbook emphasizes the importance of building relationships with employers who engage in racial sensitivity training. It also highlights the need for every student to have equal opportunities in their education. Interestingly, the handbook acknowledges that school can be a source of anxiety for many, urging students to extend kindness and patience to themselves and others.
Notably, the handbook includes “fatphobia” as part of its strict zero-tolerance policy on discrimination alongside more commonly recognized forms such as racism and sexism. However, it should be noted that Maine’s Human Rights Commission does not list weight as a protected status.
PIW expresses a strong commitment to anti-racism, stating that both overt actions and microaggressions will be taken seriously. In a further effort to create a comfortable environment, they have implemented a policy that prohibits the police from entering the shop space under any circumstances.
Remillard shared personal reflections on her experiences in the trades, questioning the underrepresentation of women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. She mentioned that the murder of George Floyd spurred her to become more active in anti-racist efforts and made her aware of the privileges tied to her race.
Board member Arlo Hennessey, identifying as a black trans man, acknowledged the challenges of racism and lack of inclusion within the trades industry. He pointed out the barriers posed by gatekeeping, which prevents qualified individuals from accessing good-paying jobs. Hennessey emphasized the necessity of including marginalized groups in order for the industry to thrive.
Jackson’s visit came as he campaigns against incumbent Senator Susan Collins. He was chosen as the Democratic nominee after the previous candidate withdrew amid allegations of misconduct. Jackson himself has faced scrutiny over various incidents from his past, including confrontations with fellow lawmakers and a past assault case he has acknowledged.
His legislative actions have also attracted attention. Recently, he supported allowing some minors to access gender-affirming hormone therapy without parental consent and opposed measures aimed at protecting girls’ sports. Additionally, he was involved in legislation that made Maine the first state to decriminalize selling sex and labeled himself as “working class” in response to Collins’ characterization of him as essentially a democratic socialist.
