Children’s influencer Ms. Rachel meets with Troy Jackson, praises his policies
Maine‑born YouTube star Ms. Rachel backs Senate candidate Troy Jackson on key child‑rights and immigration issues
Maine‑native Rachel Griffin Accurso, better known on the internet as Ms. Rachel, used her Instagram platform to publicly endorse U.S. Senate candidate Troy Jackson this week, noting that the two had a “great talk.” In the post, the 30‑year‑old YouTuber highlighted several of Jackson’s policy priorities that align with her own advocacy for children and families.
Accurso wrote, “He doesn’t want our tax money funding bombing kids. He doesn’t want our tax money traumatizing kids in ICE detention.” She added that the senator‑candidate “wants Maine families to be able to afford childcare, he wants Medicare for all and paid family leave when babies are born.” The influencer, who has more than 5.5 million followers on Instagram, described the meeting as a positive experience, but did not provide details about the location or length of the conversation.
Jackson is a Democratic former state legislator and the former president of the Maine Senate. He is campaigning against Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins for the open seat. His platform emphasizes expanding access to health care, dismantling Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and making everyday life more affordable for working‑class families. The campaign has stressed the need for comprehensive reforms to reduce the burden of immigration detention on children and to provide a more humane and equitable system.
Accurso’s endorsement comes after a series of political statements that have drawn attention to her activism beyond her popular children’s content. In April, she joined U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree (D‑1st District) to call for the release of a Portland teenager who had been detained by ICE and separated from her mother and siblings. She also made headlines with social‑media posts that addressed the impact on children in the Gaza war.
A graduate of Sanford High School, Accurso grew up in Maine and has built a career as a children’s advocate. Her YouTube channel, which features educational videos aimed at toddlers, has earned her a reputation as a trusted voice in early childhood education. In addition to her online presence, she has been active in community and state‑level policy discussions that affect young families.
The post on Instagram was widely shared among Accurso’s followers, many of whom expressed support for Jackson’s agenda. “It’s great to see a local influencer speaking up for the kids,” said one comment. Another noted, “Ms. Rachel has always been an advocate for children, so her backing of Jackson is no surprise.”
While Accurso’s comments are supportive, they have not yet been mirrored by the campaign team, which has not issued a statement in response. Jackson’s campaign staff said they welcome the endorsement but are focused on their broader outreach efforts across the state.
The endorsement adds another voice to the growing trend of social‑media personalities engaging directly with political candidates. Accurso’s message—centered on protecting children from the harms of militarized policies and ensuring that families receive the support they need—echoes themes that are increasingly prominent in the 2026 Senate race.
In Maine, where the 2026 Senate contest is expected to draw significant attention, the influence of high‑profile figures such as Ms. Rachel may help shape public opinion. As the campaign season moves forward, both the candidate’s team and his opponents will likely monitor how social‑media endorsements translate into voter engagement.
