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Troy Dale Jackson

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senator, Maine · Challenger

Former logger; former Maine Senate President

Troy Dale Jackson is a former logger from Allagash, Maine. He served in the Maine House from 2002 to 2008 and in the Maine Senate from 2008 to 2014 and 2016 to 2024, including six years as Senate President (2018–2024). He finished third in the June 2026 Democratic primary for governor, then became the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in late July 2026 after nominee Graham Platner withdrew.

Where Jackson stands

Health care: Supports Medicare for All.
Abortion: Is campaigning on writing the right to abortion into federal law. He criticized the 2022 Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, while saying he is personally uncomfortable with abortion.
Immigration enforcement: Supports abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Foreign policy / Israel: Supports ending U.S. arms sales to Israel.
Labor: Supports expanding worker rights. He entered politics through a 1998 loggers' protest against hiring Canadian temporary workers over Maine loggers.
Housing: Supports banning certain purchases of starter homes by firms based outside Maine.
Party independence / Trump: Says that whenever President Trump asks Collins for a vote, he gets it, and calls her votes against Trump 'managed votes' cast after the outcome is already decided. He disputes Collins' claim that he would be a guaranteed Democratic vote.
LGBTQ rights: Supports LGBTQ rights; he opposed them earlier in his career.

Background

Born June 26, 1968, Fort Kent, Maine
Education: A.A., University of Maine at Fort Kent
Occupation: logger
Maine House of Representatives, 2002–2008 (first elected as an independent; joined the Democratic Party in 2004)
Maine Senate, 2008–2014 and 2016–2024
Maine Senate Majority Leader, 2013–2014; Minority Leader, 2016–2018
President of the Maine Senate, 2018–2024
Candidate in the 2014 Democratic primary for Maine's 2nd Congressional District (lost)
Candidate in the 2026 Democratic primary for Governor of Maine (finished third)
Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, July 2026 (replaced Graham Platner, who withdrew)

In the news

Why Troy Jackson says he doesn’t regret telling Susan Collins to ‘shut up’ during Maine Senate debate Portland Press Herald, October 19, 2026
Troy Jackson massively outraising Susan Collins, last-minute filing shows Newsweek, October 16, 2026
Troy Jackson tells Susan Collins to 'shut up' during heated Maine Senate debate Associated Press (via WDIV ClickOnDetroit), October 16, 2026
Democrat has edge over Susan Collins in critical Maine Senate battle, poll finds The Washington Post, October 9, 2026

Also running for U.S. Senator

Susan M. Collins Republican

Sources

Last researched October 23, 2026. Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.