Troy Jackson, a fifth-generation lumberjack, is Maine's Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, challenging Republican incumbent Susan Collins in a race that could influence control of the chamber. Jackson's political career began nearly 30 years ago when he and fellow loggers blocked access to the Quebec border in protest of Canadian workers undercutting their jobs. This action, which threatened arrest, led Jackson to realize that change would require participation from within the political system.
Jackson, 58, hails from Aroostook County, a vast, sparsely populated region in northern Maine known as "The County." He states that his upbringing there, witnessing hardworking people struggle, fuels his current campaign against corporate influence and his fight for the working class. This rural, working-class base has historically supported both Democratic and Republican candidates, including Jackson himself and former President Donald Trump.
Jackson's path to the nomination was not straightforward. He is a late replacement for the initial nominee, Graham Platner, who withdrew after facing a sexual assault allegation, which he denied. Jackson faces the challenge of unseating Collins, a five-term incumbent. He has criticized Collins' voting record, particularly her role in the Supreme Court decision that overturned the nationwide right to abortion, arguing she prioritizes herself over Maine. Collins, also from Aroostook County, has countered that Jackson's political stances are too liberal for the state.
A Logger's Roots
Jackson's campaign emphasizes his background as a logger and his roots in Allagash, a small town in Aroostook County where he began working as a lumberjack at age 19. He described long, dangerous hours and jobs that often lacked benefits, stating that the harder loggers worked, the more companies took from them. The decline of job opportunities in Allagash led to its depopulation and the closure of its school in the mid-1990s.
Evolving Political Stances
Initially entering politics, Jackson ran as a Republican but found limited success in a predominantly Democratic region. He later ran as an independent and officially joined the Democratic Party in 2004, eventually serving as president of the Maine State Senate. His political views have evolved significantly; he once opposed abortion and same-sex marriage but has since reversed these positions. Former colleagues attribute this shift to his time in office and a reevaluation of social issues.
Despite his successes in the state legislature, Jackson has faced electoral challenges in broader races. He failed to secure the Democratic nomination for Maine's 2nd Congressional District in 2014 and finished third in a gubernatorial primary in 2023. He also lost a local election for first selectman in Allagash by six votes in 2023. His tenure in the Legislature has seen him clash with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, including Governor Janet Mills, who has not endorsed him. Descriptions of Jackson range from passionate and competitive to having a temper, though his supporters characterize his strong feelings as a reflection of his commitment.
Jackson's campaign in Aroostook County faces the challenge of a region that has increasingly leaned Republican. However, he argues that his ability to maintain a legislative seat as a Democrat in such an environment demonstrates his viability. Voters in his hometown of Allagash express mixed views on his candidacy, with some supporting him and others remaining divided, reflecting the county's political complexity.