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I keep waiting to run into Troy Jackson somewhere in Maine, and it hasn’t happened.
Susan Collins has been all over the state this summer: the Windsor Fair, the front gate at Bath Iron Works, the Acadian Festival in Madawaska, and a new affordable housing opening in Calais. She talks to local reporters and answers tough questions on the record.
That’s who she has always been. I’ve watched her help Mainers of every background and party: veterans, fishermen, small business owners, families across the state. She shows up for everyone, not just her voters.
Jackson has held a few town halls with his Democratic base. I haven’t seen regular public events or local press availabilities.
I think trust is also a problem. Jackson endorsed Graham Platner and campaigned alongside him. After taking Platner’s place on the ballot, he deleted his posts supporting him. Mainers deserve a candidate who owns his record instead of erasing it.
So when he turned down one of five debates with Collins in early September, I was disappointed but not surprised. If you’re asking Mainers to fire a sitting senator, you should be willing to stand next to her and make that case directly. Voters deserve to see both candidates answer the same questions side by side.
A candidate who won’t debate more, won’t show up more, and won’t consistently stand by his own record isn’t giving Maine much reason to trust him with the job.
Terry LaCombe
Hudson