Maine Democrats officially selected Troy Jackson as their new U.S. Senate nominee on July 25, 2026, at a nominating convention held in Bangor, Maine. Jackson, the former president of the Maine Senate, won the nomination with a 566-5 delegate vote, defeating fellow candidates David Costello and Saundra Pelletier. He now steps in to replace Graham Platner, who withdrew from the race on July 10, 2026, following a sexual assault allegation from a former girlfriend, which Platner has denied.
With the general election against Republican Sen. Susan Collins now just months away, Mainers and political observers across the country are asking exactly where Troy Jackson stands on the issues. Here is a full breakdown of Troy Jackson’s policies, based on his campaign platform and public statements.
Who Is Troy Jackson?
Troy Dale Jackson was born on June 26, 1968, in Fort Kent, Maine. A fifth-generation logger from the small northern Maine town of Allagash, Jackson spent two decades in the Maine State Legislature. He served as President of the Maine Senate from December 5, 2018, to December 4, 2024, and previously held the roles of Senate Majority Leader and Senate Minority Leader. He began his political career as a Republican before registering as an Independent in 2002 and later joining the Democratic Party in 2004.
Before entering the Senate race, Jackson ran for Governor of Maine in the 2026 primary, backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and the Maine chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. He finished third in that primary and went on to campaign for Platner’s Senate bid before ultimately becoming his replacement.
Troy Jackson’s Core Policy Positions
Jackson has built his Senate campaign around an economic-populist, working-class message closely aligned with Platner’s original platform. His key policy positions include:
1. Healthcare — Medicare for All Jackson supports Medicare for All, a single-payer universal healthcare system. He has said “abortion is health care” and that he believes in “health care for everyone,” framing healthcare access as a central pillar of his campaign.
2. Immigration — Abolishing ICE Jackson supports abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His stance intensified after a man was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Maine, following which Jackson spoke at a rally in Scarborough, Maine, protesting the incident.
3. Taxing Billionaires and Corporations Jackson backs raising taxes on billionaires and large corporations, arguing that the wealthy and corporations must “finally pay their fair share.” This economic message centers on reducing income inequality and combating what he calls corporate greed.
4. Abortion Rights Jackson now supports codifying a federal right to abortion. This marks a significant shift from earlier in his legislative career, when he opposed abortion rights for over a decade. In 2011, he was the only Democrat in the Maine Senate to vote for a “fetal personhood” proposal, which ultimately failed. Jackson has since said he regrets that position and “made mistakes” in understanding the abortion issue.
5. LGBTQ+ Rights Jackson now supports LGBTQ+ rights, including same-sex marriage. He voted against a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in Maine in 2009, a vote he has since called “my worst vote ever.” His voting record over the past decade shows consistent support for expanding LGBTQ+ protections.
6. Foreign Policy — Israel Jackson opposes continued U.S. military support for Israel, a position that places him among a growing bloc of Democrats increasingly divided on the issue.
7. Labor and Workers’ Rights Support for organized labor has remained one of Jackson’s most consistent positions throughout his career. He has been endorsed by numerous local unions and received a perfect voting score from the Maine AFL-CIO during his final year in the state legislature.
8. Campaign Finance and Anti-Corruption Jackson has echoed Platner’s “fighting oligarchy” message, campaigning on getting money out of politics alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), both of whom have publicly endorsed his candidacy.
Why Jackson’s Political Shift Matters
Jackson’s evolution from a socially conservative Democrat representing a rural, conservative district to a progressive Senate nominee has drawn scrutiny from critics, who argue his changed positions reflect political convenience rather than conviction. Jackson has attributed his earlier stances to his Catholic upbringing in rural Maine and says his views evolved as he came to better understand the issues.
What’s Next in the Maine Senate Race
Jackson will face two-term Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the November 2026 midterm election, one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country this cycle. Democrats need to net four seats nationally to retake control of the Senate, and party leaders view Maine as one of their top pickup opportunities. Jackson enters the race with a significant disadvantage in time and fundraising compared to Collins, given the abbreviated nomination process triggered by Platner’s withdrawal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When was Troy Jackson officially selected as the Democratic Senate nominee? A: Troy Jackson was officially nominated on July 25, 2026, at the Maine Democratic Party’s nominating convention in Bangor, Maine.
Q: Why did Troy Jackson replace Graham Platner? A: Graham Platner withdrew from the Senate race on July 10, 2026, after a former girlfriend accused him of sexual assault in 2021, an allegation Platner has denied.
Q: What are Troy Jackson’s main policy positions? A: Jackson supports Medicare for All, abolishing ICE, raising taxes on billionaires and corporations, a federal right to abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, ending U.S. military aid to Israel, and strong protections for organized labor.
Q: Who will Troy Jackson run against in the general election? A: Jackson will face Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins in the November 2026 general election.
Q: Has Troy Jackson always held progressive views? A: No. Earlier in his legislative career, Jackson opposed abortion rights and voted against same-sex marriage. He has since said his views on these issues have changed and has called some of his past votes mistakes.
Stay tuned — we’ll keep you updated as Troy Jackson’s campaign against Susan Collins heats up ahead of November. What do you think of his policy platform? Share your thoughts in the comments below!