Government land-grab agenda hits key Senate race as Dem backs property takeovers echoing Mamdani

Maine Senate Candidate Proposes Government Takeover of Private Property to Protect Mobile‑Home Park Residents

Wells, Maine – Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson has said the state should have the authority to acquire privately‑owned mobile‑home parks when necessary, a stance that has drawn fresh scrutiny to his campaign and sparked reactions from both supporters and opponents.

Jackson made the comments while speaking to a small group of residents at Blueberry Ridge Mobile Village, a trailer park where several owners have reported rising lot‑rental costs and concerns about maintenance. The gathering also took place in nearby Wells, a town adjacent to the politically prominent Kennebunkport.

During the visit, Jackson lifted a mason jar filled with brown water that a resident said came from a tap in the park. He later noted that some lot‑rental fees in the area have climbed toward $850, and he recalled living in a mobile‑home park in Aroostook County, which gave him firsthand experience with the challenges faced by park residents.

“The greed that’s happening right now in this country that people in mobile‑home parks are feeling is like something I’ve never seen,” Jackson told the crowd. “I’m going to add my voice to that every damn day. I just can’t imagine owning a home and feeling the threat that you do daily and getting the squeeze and not being able to afford that.”

He continued, “The other thing that I do hear a lot about, too, is how landlords won’t do anything for services. And that is completely unfair and not right. And we have to make that change. I feel strongly that if needed, the state should be able to come in and take these places over. Some people will say that that’s insane.”

Jackson framed the proposal as a way to give residents time to organize cooperatives or community land‑trust arrangements before private‑equity firms acquire the parks and profit from them. He emphasized that the goal is not to eliminate private ownership but to create a safety net that prevents abrupt displacement and ensures basic services.

The Democratic candidate’s position mirrors elements of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s housing agenda, which also advocates for government intervention to transfer neglected properties to tenants, nonprofits, or community stewardship. Jackson’s endorsement by the Democratic Socialists of America earlier this year has linked his platform to that broader push for increased public involvement in housing.

Maine's existing law already provides a limited pathway for mobile‑home park residents to purchase their parks. Under Title 10, Section 9094‑A, a group of owners or a residents’ association can claim the first right of refusal when a park is put up for sale, typically having 60 days after notice to submit an offer.

Jackson’s remarks have been criticized by Republican officials and political commentators. The Republican National Committee’s rapid‑response team tweeted, “Troy Jackson wants the government to seize private property from Mainers.” Former intelligence officer Lt. Col. Tony Shaffer (Ret.) posted on X, calling Jackson “another full‑on Communist running for office,” and accused him of “violating the rights of Mainers because he feels that they make too much money engaging in free‑market commerce,” labeling him a “true Stalinist.”

Supporters of Jackson’s plan argue that rising costs and inadequate maintenance in mobile‑home parks justify stronger state intervention. They point to the challenges many residents face, including sudden price hikes and lack of accountability from park owners, as evidence that current protections are insufficient.

The candidate’s campaign and the campaign of incumbent Senator Susan Collins have both been contacted for comment, though no response was immediately available. The debate over government involvement in private property ownership continues to be a focal point as the Senate race moves forward.