Maine needs a senator who has energy, grit | Opinion
Maine’s Senate Legacy: From George Mitchell to Troy Jackson, a Story of Work Ethic and Policy
By Maine News Now
When James M. Moore stepped down from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Bangor in 2026 after three decades of federal service, he reflected on the influence of Maine’s long‑time senators on his career and the state’s current legislative challenges. The former attorney, a former intern in Washington, D.C. during the 1980s, said the work ethic and diligence of senators such as George Mitchell, Susan Collins, and Troy Jackson have shaped Maine politics—and the federal and state arenas alike.
From a College Student to a Federal Prosecutor
Moore’s first taste of Washington came in 1984, when he served as an intern on Sen. George Mitchell’s staff. At the time, Mitchell was the newest member of the Senate Finance Committee, the body that drafts and reviews federal tax legislation. Although the intern role was brief, Moore recalls watching Mitchell work late into the night, reviewing thousands of pages of proposed tax changes, and then presenting a polished briefing to the committee the next morning. “It was a clear example of how a senator had to study every detail before moving forward,” Moore said.
Those observations helped shape Moore’s path. He later attended law school, entered the Attorney General’s Honors Program, and spent most of his federal career in the U.S. Attorney’s Office that Mitchell had once led in Maine. “When I was facing senior attorneys on tough cases, the example of a senator who was always prepared gave me confidence,” Moore said.
The Senate’s Long‑Haul Work
Sen. Mitchell’s approach to the Finance Committee illustrates a broader reality: senators must process vast amounts of information before voting. The Senate must approve twelve appropriations bills each year—detailed documents that allocate federal money to every agency and program. These bills are debated within the Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Susan Collins, a long‑time incumbent in her 70s.
When the committee failed to deliver the appropriations package on time, the United States experienced its longest government shutdown to date, lasting more than a month in 2023‑24. Collins later voted to procedurally advance a $1 trillion package of healthcare cuts and an $87 billion increase for foreign military aid. “Mainers are known for their work ethic,” she said on the Senate floor after a record‑setting consecutive vote, prompting a mix of praise and scrutiny from both sides of the aisle.
Collins has hinted at a sixth term in the Senate, a prospect that raises questions about stamina and effectiveness for a legislator in their late 70s. Her tenure, however, has included pivotal votes on federal budgeting and foreign policy.
Troy Jackson and the State Senate
While the federal arena grapples with funding crises, Maine’s own state senate has faced its own set of challenges. Troy Jackson, a logger turned politician, has served as the state Senate president and is in his 50s. His background—long days on the job before dawn, operating logging equipment—has earned him a reputation for hard work and resilience.
Jackson has used his leadership to enact laws that cut drug prices, reduce medical debt, and address domestic violence. His committee work has also focused on tackling the state budget logjam, the looming insolvency of Social Security, and an economy that many feel is tilted against ordinary citizens.
“It’s clear Mainers are being exploited,” Jackson told local media. He has pledged to continue working long hours to prepare for hearings and to address pressing issues such as housing shortages, hospital closures, and affordability.
His work has also inspired a new generation. “Interns who work for Sen. Jackson will see an inspirational figure whose work ethic makes lasting impressions and inspires public service careers,” Moore noted.
A Legacy of Diligence
Moore’s recollections underscore a common theme in Maine politics: a deep commitment to hard work. From the late-night sessions of a 1980s senator on the Finance Committee to the modern-day debates over federal appropriations and state budget deficits, Maine’s leaders have consistently demonstrated that effective representation requires relentless preparation and an unwavering work ethic.
As Maine prepares for the 2026 election, voters will consider not just policy positions but also how their representatives plan to manage the complex, often tedious tasks of governance. Whether it’s the seasoned experience of Sen. Collins, the pragmatic approach of Troy Jackson, or the legacy of a former U.S. Attorney, the question remains: who will bring the same level of diligence to the challenges ahead?
