Troy Jackson, 58, Addresses His Supporters After Winning the Demcratic Nomnation to Face MAGA Member Collins in November 2026.
This morning Troy Jackson, 58, a fifth generation logger from Allagash, was selected at the Democratic convention in Bangor to replace the irreplaceable Graham Platner, to defeat Republican MAGA member Susan Collins, 73, in the upcoming November race.
In an address to his supporters late this morning, Mr. Jackson began his campaign with: “For the past 30 years, Susan Collins has told Maine voters that she is “concerned.” She’s concerned about the effect of the war in Iran, supporting budgeting for ICE thugs, the lack of health care for Mainers, the impact of the lack of affordability for Mainers and more. She’s concerned allright. But that concern has not kept her from voting for the Trump agenda over 90% of the time. Mr. Jackson said that this government is about taking from us everything we hold important to us. And incumbent Susan Collins is central to that agenda. In an emotional moment, he said he’s finding less and less time to spend with his family.
If you’ve ever been left out of a line, left behind or under estimated, he invited that person to join his campaign to defeat the vulnerable MAGA member Collins. She’s so vulnerable this time because she has voted to support the Trump agenda over 90% of the time. “We can defeat Susan Collins and build a government for Mainers and not for those who are billionaires,” he said. “I can’t do this alone however.” He invited all Mainers to join in the effort to defeat Collins this fall. Previously, he served in the Maine State Senate and as its President. In that role, Mr. Jackson is well-known to Maine voters and is not starting from Ground Zero as Graham Platner did.
He promised to support Medicare for all, build housing people can afford, protect Social Security and Medicare and support every worker’s right to form unions. Mr. Jackson was endorsed by US Senator Bernie Sanders, VT. at a Rally at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland. Where you there?!
Some question whether or not Mr. Jackson’s campaign in getting such a late start can mobilize enough to defeat the Collins machine. But for many, his campaign is viewed as an extension of the enormously popular foundation laid by Graham Platner from Sullivan. Mr. Platner was forced from the race by party politics threatened by his progressive positions.
“There is a place for you in this campaign,” Mr. Jackson assured Mainers in one of several calls to unify Maine voters against incumbent Susan Collins who is deeply unpopular. A recent poll from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center showed Mr. Jackson ahead of her by 49% to 46%. In fact, her polling numbers are underwater at this time.