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Troy Jackson, tapped Saturday by Maine Democrats to take on longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins, is a fifth-generation logger from one of Maine’s most rural areas, a former state Senate president with a blustery past — and a progressive populist in one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate races.
Jackson, 58, quickly emerged as Democrats’ choice to replace disgraced first pick Graham Platner after allegations of sexual assault and infidelity tanked his candidacy.
Now the longtime Maine politician faces the challenge of introducing himself to voters statewide as Republicans say he is a longtime insider with a controversial record.
A native of northern Maine, Jackson grew up in Allagash, a small community near the Canadian border, where he followed his family into the logging industry.
Before entering politics, Jackson worked in the woods — an experience he has repeatedly pointed to as the foundation of his “working-class” worldview.
His rise began after he became involved in a 1998 logging protest over concerns about the future of Maine’s timber industry, wages and working conditions. The fight helped propel him into public life as a champion for rural workers and organized labor.
Jackson later won a seat in the Maine legislature before eventually rising through the ranks of the state Senate.
He served as president of the Maine Senate from 2018 through 2024, becoming an influential Democrats in Augusta — and found home in the left flank of Maine Democrats.
His political message has centered on fighting corporate influence, expanding access to health care, lowering prescription drug costs and boosting support for working families.
Supporters argue Jackson brings something rare to Democratic politics: a candidate who can speak authentically to rural voters because he comes from the same communities he represents — something they once bragged of Platner before his reputation demise.
But critics have argued his progressive politics could prove difficult in a state that has often rewarded moderate candidates, particularly in statewide races.
Jackson’s supporters describe him as passionate, outspoken and unwilling to back down.
Critics see a politician whose confrontational style has sometimes created controversy.
During his time in the Maine Legislature, Jackson faced scrutiny over heated clashes with colleagues, including an incident in which he allegedly threw a water bottle during an argument with another lawmaker.
Republicans have also highlighted allegations involving conflicts with colleagues and other controversies from his political career as they seek to frame Jackson before the general election.
The Republican Senate Leadership Fund called Jackson “a dangerous, scandal-plagued political insider with a history of berating his colleagues, conflict with women and mortgage fraud” in a post to X after his Saturday coronation.
“It’s no wonder disgraced candidate Graham Platner ranked Jackson as his top choice to lead Maine,” the group said.
Jackson now faces one of the biggest challenges of his political career: defeating Collins.
The Republican senator has built one of the strongest brands in New England politics, winning statewide races by presenting herself as a moderate voice in an increasingly polarized political environment.
Democrats are betting Jackson’s rural roots, labor background and populist message can connect with voters beyond the party’s traditional base.
Republicans argue that Jackson’s progressive record and controversies make him too far left for Maine.
The race is expected to become one of the most closely watched Senate contests of the 2026 election cycle, with control of the chamber potentially at stake.
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