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Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Troy Jackson was endorsed Monday by the Houlton Band of Maliseets Tribal Council, the latest tribal endorsement in the high-stakes race.
The support from the tribe comes a week after the chief of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik wrote a letter endorsing Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, the first tribal backing she’s received during her five terms.
The endorsement for Jackson, a former Maine Senate president who along with other state and federal Democrats has supported tribal sovereignty, also came a week after he celebrated Indigenous People’s Day with tribal members and held a virtual roundtable with Wabanaki leaders.
Tribal issues have been a major political issue in the State House for years but have not arisen much during the increasingly heated race that could determine which party controls the Senate. The back-to-back endorsements, with more expected in the coming days and weeks, mark another contrast in the pair’s positions and pitches to Mainers.
Collins has built much of her campaign on her ability to bring federal dollars home, including for tribal projects, while Jackson has touted his record in Augusta and says he’d press in Washington to address long-term wrongs against Maine tribes.
“From championing clean drinking water initiatives to his role in creating the commission to reexamine the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act, Troy has consistently proven that he listens to indigenous voices and stands with the Wabanaki people,” Chief Clarissa Sabattis said in a statement.
Jackson, who has lamented that one of Gov. Janet Mills’ vetoes of bills he supported included tribal sovereignty, said in a statement that he was proud to earn the council’s support and pledged to fight for tribal rights on Capitol Hill if elected.
“Representing a rural community, I understand that when the Wabanaki Nations have a vibrant economy, health care, infrastructure and educational opportunities, all of rural Maine benefits,” he said.
Collins’ endorsement last week came after she met Pleasant Point reservation leaders last year and helped secure $5 million to construct a new wastewater treatment plant and collection system, according to Chief Pos Bassett.
The senator has not yet supported federal efforts, such as a bill from Democratic U.S. Reps. Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree, to counteract the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980. The law gave the tribes more than $80 million but let the state regulate them like towns and cities without the rights of most tribes in other parts of the country.
Collins’ team has said she supports tribes having governmental authority to manage their own affairs, and also has backed extension of federal programs to the tribes such as the Violence Against Women Act. Collins’ office said she would examine impacts to Maine tribes if any state regulations require amendments to federal law.