Troy Jackson is running a populist, anti-corporate platform in his bid to become the new Maine Democratic Senate nominee, but he has promoted endorsements from both current and former lobbyists.
Jackson’s endorsement list of former elected Maine officials includes three past state lawmakers with current or former lobbying ties to the fossil fuel, tobacco, and pharmaceutical industries.
A former state Senate president and Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I-VT) choice for Maine governor, Jackson was a progressive ally of former Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner. Jackson has distanced himself with statements and deleted social media posts after sexual assault allegations forced Platner from the race.
Among his campaign pledges is to “honor the grassroots movement” that Platner built and to take on “a system that works for corporations, billionaires, and the already powerful while working families struggle with healthcare costs, housing, prescription drugs, child care, utility bills, and the fear that their kids will have to leave Maine to build a decent life.” Jackson describes himself as “someone who has spent my public life taking on powerful interests and delivering for working people.”
Jackson’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment about how the lobbying experience from some of his backers may undercut that narrative.
The trio of lobbying-linked endorsements is from Severin Beliveau, Ed Pineau, and Jennifer DeChant.
Beliveau, dubbed “Maine’s most powerful lobbyist,” advocated in past decades on behalf of alcohol, tobacco, gambling, pharmaceuticals, and nursing homes, among other industries.
FILE – Senate President Troy Jackson speaks at a news conference, Jan. 17, 2023, in Augusta, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
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Pineau lobbies for American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, a leading association for fuel makers that advocates for top oil companies. He also represents Altria Client Services on tobacco, among other companies and issues.
DeChant has lobbied for Charter Communications, which owns Spectrum, and natural gas companies.
NO CLEAR FRONT-RUNNER EMERGES AS MAINE DEMOCRATS RACE TO REPLACE PLATNER
Jackson is among the 13 candidates now vying for the nomination, and they will debate for the first time on Thursday night. The Maine Democratic Party will ultimately choose one of them at a July 25 nominating convention. The nominee will face longtime Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in November.
The Democratic Socialists of America‘s Maine chapter endorsed Jackson in his 2026 gubernatorial bid, which he lost to Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME) in June. The group has not selected a new candidate for the Senate race after it “recommended” Platner, but stopped short of formally endorsing him.
