Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson is poised to take over for Graham Platner as the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, gearing up for an intense contest against incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins.
Over the past weekend, 16 counties in Maine completed two days of delegate selection for the forthcoming state Democratic nominating convention, where delegates supporting Jackson secured the majority of the 500 available spots. Even after Jackson announced his withdrawal from the race, his main rivals opted to back him, which is quite telling.
Although Jackson’s supporters are not mandated to endorse him at the upcoming party convention in Bangor, it seems almost guaranteed that he will clinch the nomination and directly confront Collins in what many anticipate will be a fiercely contested and costly election. This race is just one of several nationwide that will significantly impact the Democrats’ chances of regaining control of the Senate, which the GOP currently holds with a 53-47 advantage.
1. He used to be a Republican
Jackson began his political journey nearly three decades ago, initially protesting against the employment of Canadian loggers over Maine’s own. He was actively involved in stopping Canadian loggers from entering the U.S. border. In 2000, he ran as a Republican, but two years later, he was elected to the Maine House as an independent. He transitioned to the Democratic Party in 2004, winning a Senate seat in 2008 and eventually becoming speaker after the Democrats gained a majority a decade later.
Today, he’s a proponent of abortion rights and same-sex marriage, which is a significant shift from his previous stance; in 2010, he earned a perfect score from Maine Right to Life, and in 2009, he opposed legalizing same-sex marriage in Maine. Jackson attributes some of his earlier views to his Catholic upbringing in rural Maine.
Reflecting on his past decisions, he stated, “I voted for those things over 15 years ago. I’ve always believed that health care is a human right. Eventually, I came to understand that access to abortion and reproductive rights is a human right too.” He notes that he has shifted his perspective significantly, aligning more now with progressive ideals.
2. He ran for governor
Jackson launched a campaign last year for the Democratic nomination for governor, a position currently held by term-limited Gov. Janet Mills. His focus was on expanding health care and child care, earning an endorsement from progressive Senator Bernie Sanders last fall. However, he finished third in that primary.
3. He collaborated with Platner
Throughout their campaigns, Jackson and Platner appeared alongside each other and received mutual support in their respective races. However, as the gubernatorial race was coming to a close, Platner faced allegations of misconduct and ultimately chose to step down, which prompted Jackson to reassess his own campaign strategy.
4. Policy alignment with Platner
Following Platner’s exit, Jackson was vocal about maintaining the push for progressive, populist policies aimed at supporting the working class. They share similar platforms, advocating for tax increases on billionaires, universal health care, and immigration reforms. Jackson emphasizes the need for significant change, reflecting on the systemic challenges faced by working individuals.
5. Backed by influential progressives
Jackson’s campaign has garnered support from prominent progressives, including California Representative Ro Khanna, who quickly shifted his endorsement from Platner to Jackson after the latter took over the campaign. Additionally, he is backed by Our Revolution, the organization born from Sanders’ initial campaign, and enjoys strong backing from labor unions in Maine.
With the endorsement of Platner’s former allies, Jackson has managed to achieve a decisive victory in the delegate selection process over the weekend.
