Dems Propose a Platner Replacement...Wait, Never Mind

Troy Jackson is another far-left progressive who quickly jumped on the dump-Platner bandwagon and presented himself as the heir apparent.

Among the potential replacements, Jackson is one that could appeal to the progressive base that backed Platner.

Jackson has called for Platner to withdraw from the race, and told the Bangor Daily News that, if that happens, he believes he is the "best person" to replace him. "This is something I never considered, but if Graham’s stepping away, I am very, very interested and think I’m the best person to replace him," Jackson said.

A logger from Allagash, Jackson served in the Maine House of Representatives from 2002 until 2008 and then the Maine State Senate from 2008 to 2014 and from 2016 to 2024. He was the Maine Senate President from 2018 to 2024.

Jackson ran a progressive campaign for governor in this year’s race, with a platform that included pledges to reduce prescription drug costs, create a Department of Affordable Housing, and lower property taxes.

Jackson had the backing of Platner, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and more than 20 unions—with the Bangor Daily News describing Jackson as Platner’s "gubernatorial counterpart and prototype."

He sounds absolutely perfect. He's a progressive endorsed by Bernie Sanders but doesn't have all of Platner's ugly baggage. Right?

Maine Senate President Troy D. Jackson (D-Aroostook) has been embroiled in a bitter legal dispute with a Windsor couple ever since he moved into an Augusta house he purchased from them in Sept. 2019.

The longtime Maine lawmaker and his girlfriend, Lana M. Pelletier, are suing Paul R. and Jane R. Godbout, 65, alleging that the couple committed fraud by concealing defects with the North Belfast Ave. house during the sale...

Beyond the real estate dispute, the court records and mortgage documents raise the question of whether Jackson, who has served as Senate President throughout his squabble with the Godbouts, actually lives in the Aroostook County district he represents.

Under Maine's constitution, state representatives must reside in the district they represent. This house is not in Troy Jackson's district and yet he signed a mortgage saying it would be his primary residence.

In Jackson’s complaint against the Godbouts, his attorney said that he discovered damages to the house “after moving in.”...

Augusta is not in Jackson’s State Senate District, which includes mostly western and northern Aroostook County.

Since he claimed to have moved to Augusta in 2019, Jackson has continued to tell the Maine Ethics Commission that he lives in Allagash, including in multiple financial disclosures and countless campaign finance reports...

The loan agreement states the following: “I will occupy the Property and use the Property as my principal residence within 60 days after I sign this Security Instrument. I will continue to occupy the Property and to use the Property as my principal residence for at least one year.”

So is this a violation of the state constitution which he attempted to hide with false statements on official forms or is it mortgage fraud? Take your pick.

In any case, that's not nearly as serious as the kind of violence toward women that Graham Platner has been accused of. Right?

We began asking our contacts on the ground in Maine about Troy Jackson earlier today after seeing many suggestions that he should replace Graham Platner against Susan Collins.

In our discussions we have received troubling information about not only Jackson’s behavior, but the…

— Progressive Victory (@ProgressiveVic) July 7, 2026

We began asking our contacts on the ground in Maine about Troy Jackson earlier today after seeing many suggestions that he should replace Graham Platner against Susan Collins. 

In our discussions we have received troubling information about not only Jackson’s behavior, but the behavior of many prominent Maine Democrats toward women more broadly. Both as a result of the credibility of the sources and in the interest of not seeing our movement make the same mistake twice, we are choosing to share some of this now.

As Maine Senate President in a state senate caucus meeting several years ago, Troy Jackson in a heated disagreement struck a female colleague with a bottle he threw at her. There are many witnesses, and it appears this is a widespread open secret within Maine politics and not an isolated incident.

Denials are now coming in. Why does this feel so familiar?

Update 2: An insider on Troy’s team, and the admin of the Troy Jackson Discord server, is claiming that the story is not accurate.

We are continuing to reach out to additional individuals present for the incident to get more information. pic.twitter.com/4tBIRS8UvR

— Progressive Victory (@ProgressiveVic) July 7, 2026

His campaign slogan should be: Troy Jackson - Not as violent toward women as the other guy.

Additionally, while it is relevant that people within Jackson’s camp are denying the claim, It is not a credible refutation on its own. We are continuing to investigate.

— Progressive Victory (@ProgressiveVic) July 7, 2026

I hope everyone will immediately glom onto Troy. He seems great and I'm sure there's nothing else that will be uncovered. If we've learned anything from Graham Platner it's that you can take a candidates stern denials of wrongdoing to the bank.

There must be someone else they can pick who has a clean record..Right?

Wait till you hear the shit we heard about other prominent Maine Democrats that we are not yet choosing to share.

— Progressive Victory (@ProgressiveVic) July 7, 2026

I think Ed may have cracked this a few hours ago:

Janet Mills, please come to the emergency red phone ... https://t.co/olhzLZbuLY

— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) July 7, 2026