Politics
Our political journalists are based in the Maine State House and have deep source networks across the partisan spectrum in communities all over the state. Their coverage aims to cut through major debates and probe how officials make decisions. Read more Politics coverage here.
U.S. Sen.-elect Troy Jackson caused a stir this week when he reportedly showed up in Washington wearing an $89 suit.
On Monday, the Democrat tweeted a picture of himself outside the U.S. Capitol with the message: “Hello, DC. Let’s get to work.”
Certain sharp-eyed users honed in on the label visible on the inside of Jackson’s suit jacket, which appears to be a Haggar from Target.
For some on social media, Jackson’s sartorial choice was emblematic of his populist, working-class politics, in contrast with the staid image of a stuffy U.S. senator.
“He’s one of us,” one user on the social media site formerly known as Twitter wrote. “My kind of guy,” chimed in another on X.
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But others online saw it as nothing but a staged photo-op.
Jackson pulled off a stunning upset this month in his race against Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, ending her three-decade hold on the seat. Voters handed Democrats majorities in both the U.S. House and Senate for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s second administration.
Over the next two years, some users will be paying close attention to Jackson’s wardrobe, seeing whether he keeps with the off-the-rack selection or something more expensive.
“If he’s wearing the same in 2 years, we’re winning. If he’s wearing a $5,000 custom-tailored suit in 2 years, we’ve lost. Keep an eye on all of their suits,” one X user wrote.