After just 100 days on the trail, Democrat Troy Jackson wins election to Senate in Maine
Jackson takes the seat
Jackson declared victory early Wednesday after defeating Collins, who had represented Maine in the Senate since her first election in 1996. At an election night event in Portland, Jackson said he would fight in Washington for families struggling to get by.
Collins said serving Maine had been the honor of her life and pointed to accomplishments over 30 years. She conceded after calling Jackson.
A fast campaign launch
Jackson, 58, is a fifth-generation logger from rural Aroostook County. He began working as a lumberjack at 19 and entered politics after leading a blockade by loggers protesting Canadian workers’ effect on pay rates.
He served nearly 20 years in the state House and later became the Maine Senate’s top leader. Jackson had initially sought the Democratic nomination for governor, but lost before entering the Senate race.
Nomination changed in July
Jackson was not originally planning to run for Senate. In July, he replaced Graham Platner as the Democratic nominee after Platner, an oyster farmer and political newcomer, withdrew amid controversies.
Jackson won a special nominating convention and quickly began traveling around Maine. He campaigned at churches, union halls and bars, focusing on workers’ rights and the cost of living. Bernie Sanders, for whom Jackson had served as a campaign surrogate, joined him at rallies in October.
Collins faced political headwinds
Collins, 73, sought a sixth term as Maine’s only Republican member of Congress. The state had voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election since 1992, and Collins was widely viewed as the most vulnerable Republican senator in the race.
She had emphasized her independence from Trump and the Republican Party, including her votes to convict him after his 2021 impeachment. Jackson criticized her over votes related to Trump’s tax and budget legislation, while Collins criticized Jackson’s temperament after he told her to “shut up” during a debate.
Key points
- Troy Jackson defeated Susan Collins for Maine’s U.S. Senate seat.
- Jackson entered the Senate race in July and campaigned for a little more than 100 days.
- His campaign highlighted housing, health care, workers’ rights and the cost of living.
- Collins conceded after calling Jackson, ending her bid for a sixth term.