Troy Jackson got $15k from big oil, pharma lobbyists. He’s giving it to charity.

Maine Senate race: Jackson channels oil‑pharma cash into charity, pledges to honor “Dirigo” pledge

TROY JACOBSON, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, announced on Thursday that he will divert nearly $15,000 of contributions originally received from oil and pharmaceutical lobbyists to four Maine charities. The move comes a few hours before his fourth and final debate with Republican incumbent Senator Susan Collins and is part of a broader effort to demonstrate his commitment to the “Dirigo” pledge he made during the short Democratic primary.

In a brief news release, Jackson said he would donate $5,000 each to Keep ME Warm/Project Heat and the Good Shepherd Food Bank, and $2,500 each to Maine Needs and the Augusta Food Bank. “I said I wouldn’t take money from Big Oil or Big Pharma lobbyists, and I meant it,” he wrote. “That money is better spent helping Mainers heat their homes, put food on the table, afford the things they need, and get through a tough winter.”

Jackson’s donation plan is a direct response to criticism from Collins, who has repeatedly pointed to his acceptance of corporate contributions. In a televised debate last month, Collins described Jackson as a former logger who “accepted corporate contributions as state Senate president.” Jackson, who has raised more than $20 million since securing the nomination on July 25, said the $15,000 represents only a small fraction of that total.

The “Dirigo Pledge” was a promise Jackson made when he entered the race: he would refuse money from big‑oil or big‑pharma lobbyists, corporate PACs, and the pro‑Israel AIPAC; fully disclose his campaign finances; push for a constitutional amendment to limit big money in politics; and support a ban on congressional stock trading. The announcement comes as polls suggest that inflation and high gas prices are among the top concerns for voters in Maine.

Jackson had previously said he would release a full campaign finance report on Wednesday morning, but he has yet to do so. The deadline for filing is midnight Thursday. In contrast, Collins filed her own reports Thursday afternoon. She reported $3.9 million in contributions from July 1 through September 30, bringing her campaign total to nearly $17.7 million. Her final stretch of the campaign included $5.4 million in cash.

According to AdImpact, a media‑tracking firm, Republican‑aligned groups have spent $151.5 million on television and digital advertising, while Democrat‑aligned groups have spent $110.7 million. The spending advantage underscores the importance of the last debate, which is scheduled to take place later this week.

Jackson’s move to redirect lobbyist money to charity is part of a broader strategy to appeal to voters who are wary of corporate influence. “We’re in a time when people are worried about how much they’re paying for heating and groceries,” Jackson said. “If I can show that the money I’m getting from these industries will directly help people with the most pressing needs, I think that speaks to the heart of what this election is about.”

While the donation itself is modest compared with the overall fundraising totals, it is symbolically significant. Jackson’s campaign has raised more than $20 million, a figure that still puts him behind the combined spending of Republican‑aligned groups. The last debate will likely focus on how each candidate plans to address the state’s economic challenges, particularly the cost of living and energy expenses.

The debate will feature both candidates answering questions about their positions on healthcare, the environment, and federal spending. With the debate scheduled to air on local television and streamed online, voters will have an opportunity to hear directly from each side on whether promises made during the primary are being fulfilled.

In the weeks leading up to the election, voters in Maine will weigh the practical implications of each candidate’s plans, as well as the ethical considerations highlighted by Jackson’s recent announcement. Whether his donation of $15,000 will sway public opinion remains to be seen, but it is a clear statement that he intends to keep his campaign finances in line with the pledge he made to voters.

Maine’s Senate race remains a tight one, and both candidates have spent months campaigning across the state. As the final debate approaches, the focus will shift from campaign rhetoric to concrete policy proposals—especially those that address the everyday challenges faced by Mainers.