Troy Jackson should be worrying about the young voter | Steve Collins
LEWISTON — Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Troy Jackson drew roughly 400 residents to the Franco Center on Tuesday evening for his first town hall since launching his campaign, fielding questions from the audience for nearly an hour as he works to build momentum against three-decade incumbent Senator Susan Collins.
The event featured a live band that performed classic rock standards for about 45 minutes before Jackson took the stage, playing songs including Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" as attendees filtered into the venue.
Jackson, who is 73 years old, has positioned himself as a challenger willing to take on wealthy interests in Washington. He told supporters he is "not afraid to stand up" against what he described as elite interests "ransacking" the country.
The town hall marked a key test for a campaign that Democrats see as critical to their Senate prospects in Maine. Collins, who first won her seat in 1996, has maintained strong name recognition across the state, making any challenge a significant undertaking.
Jackson's campaign has sought to energize voters beyond traditional Democratic base constituencies. The candidate has emphasized kitchen-table issues affecting working families while calling for new leadership in Washington.
Tuesday's gathering drew supporters from across the Lewiston-Auburn area, with many attendees expressing interest in hearing Jackson's vision for the state. The Q&A session covered topics including healthcare, economic opportunity, and the direction of federal policy.
Maine's population ranks among the oldest in the nation, with a median age of approximately 45 years. Political observers note that mobilizing younger voters remains a key challenge for candidates across the political spectrum in the state.
Jackson's campaign comes after another Democratic Senate hopeful, Graham Platner, suspended his bid in July. That campaign had attempted to build enthusiasm among younger voters and newcomers to Maine politics.
With the 2026 election still more than a year away, Jackson's team is working to establish ground operations across Maine while raising his profile through events like Tuesday's town hall. The candidate is expected to hold additional public events throughout the state in the coming months as he works to make his case to voters.
