Troy Jackson, a 58-year-old logger from Allagash in rural Aroostook County, secured the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate and will face incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November. Jackson replaced Graham Platner as the party’s nominee after Platner withdrew following a sexual assault allegation that he denied.
Jackson’s path to politics began nearly 30 years ago when he participated in a logging truck blockade at the Quebec border to protest Canadian workers undercutting wages. According to Jackson and those who worked with him, he concluded that political involvement was necessary to address the problems facing Maine’s working class. He first entered electoral politics running as a Republican, then as an independent, before switching to the Democratic Party in 2004. He eventually became president of the Maine state Senate.
Jackson has campaigned heavily on his working-class background and his roots in Aroostook County, one of Maine’s poorest regions. His campaign emphasizes his opposition to what he characterizes as corporate practices that harm workers and his criticism of Collins’ record. Specifically, Jackson has attacked Collins’ vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, arguing it enabled the reversal of abortion rights nationwide. Collins has stated she disagrees with the decision to overturn abortion protections but maintains she does not regret confirming Kavanaugh.
Collins, 73, is also from Aroostook County and has served five terms. She has argued that Jackson is too liberal for Maine. Jackson’s political positions have evolved significantly over his career, particularly on social issues—he has shifted from opposing abortion and same-sex marriage early in his political career to supporting both positions.
Jackson faces substantial challenges in the race. He has struggled to build support outside his home area, finishing third in the gubernatorial primary in June and losing a local selectman race in Allagash by six votes in 2023. Some lawmakers have criticized him for displays of anger during legislative sessions, though his supporters describe him as passionate and competitive rather than having a temperament problem.
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