For America’s sake, Maine must send Troy Jackson to the U.S. Senate | Opinion
Lawyer and former Maine Attorney General Endorses Troy Jackson for U.S. Senate
Portland, Maine – In a public letter to Maine voters, Steven Rowe, a Portland‑based attorney who served as the state’s attorney general and is a veteran of the U.S. Army, urged citizens to vote for former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson in the upcoming 2026 election for the U.S. Senate. Rowe, who has known Jackson for more than two decades, said Jackson’s experience and “salt‑of‑the‑earth” character make him a strong candidate to represent Maine in Washington.
Rowe, 58, was appointed Maine’s attorney general in 2019 and served until 2023, when he returned to private practice. His endorsement of Jackson is part of a broader push by some Maine Democrats to shift the balance in the U.S. Senate away from Republican dominance, a shift that would affect the Senate’s confirmation powers and its role in overseeing the federal government.
Why Troy Jackson?
Jackson, a Democrat from Portland, served three terms as president of the Maine Senate, during which he focused on issues such as economic development, infrastructure, and public safety. Rowe described Jackson as “smart, honest and hardworking,” noting that his long tenure in state government has given him a deep understanding of Maine’s needs.
“Their presence in the Senate will allow for a more balanced approach to federal legislation,” Rowe wrote. “It’s high time that all branches of our federal government return to honoring the Constitution and the rule of law.”
Senate Composition and the 2026 Election
The 2026 election will determine whether Republicans retain control of the U.S. Senate. Maine’s current Republican senator, Susan Collins, faces re‑election. Rowe highlighted that Collins’ continued presence in Washington would likely preserve a Republican majority. A Republican majority would enable the party to set the legislative agenda, chair committee positions, and confirm federal judges and cabinet nominees with a simple majority vote.
Rowe also pointed to the Senate’s constitutional role in reviewing executive appointments, noting that the Senate’s confirmation power has been “abused” by recent Republican members, whom he says have acted as a rubber stamp for President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Senate Republicans and Presidential Actions
Rowe cited several policy areas where he believes Senate Republicans have supported or failed to check President Trump’s initiatives. Those include:
- Cuts to public services: Health care, food assistance and education funding reductions.
- Tax policy: Changes favoring corporations and high‑income earners.
- Immigration: Mass deportation policies involving workplace and community raids.
- Environmental and consumer protections: Rollbacks on regulations aimed at protecting the environment and consumers.
- Military engagement: Initiation of a Middle East war without a clear exit strategy.
He also criticized the confirmation of cabinet members and federal judges, naming former Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and former New Mexico District Court Judge Kelli A. Hegseth among those he considers “clearly unqualified.” The Senate’s confirmation of such nominees, according to Rowe, has weakened the quality of federal oversight.
A Call to Action
Rowe concluded his letter with a direct appeal to voters: “If you want to end President Trump’s control of the U.S. Senate, restore the rule of law and ensure that our federal government works for everyone, please join me in voting for Troy Jackson as Maine’s next U.S. senator.”
The endorsement comes at a time of heightened political engagement in Maine, as the state’s electorate prepares for a race that could reshape the national legislative balance. Whether Jackson can secure the seat remains to be seen, but Rowe’s support adds another voice to the call for a Democratic majority in Washington.
This story was originally published by The Press Herald. Maine News Now has re‑reported the facts in its own words.
