I support Troy Jackson for the U.S. Senate because I applaud Jackson’s legislative involvement on behalf of Maine women’s rights to reproductive health care, and I approve his pledge to continue that work in the U.S. Senate.

Gloria Steinem famously said: "The ability to make decisions about one’s own physical self is fundamental to democracy." – [CNN].

Troy Jackson has said: "I listened to women in my life and women I represented. I listened to health care providers. I listened to colleagues in the legislature. And the more I listened, the clearer something became to me: abortion is health care." (Katie Couric interview)

In its 1973 decision Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court recognized that the right to liberty in the Constitution, which protects personal privacy, includes the right to decide whether to continue a pregnancy. For the first time, Roe placed reproductive decision-making alongside other fundamental rights.

Being able to make decisions about sexual freedom, pregnancy, when to have children and how many (or none), became my generation’s freedom in 1973.

Troy Jackson was Senate President in Maine in 2022: "… when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, we didn’t wait around to see what would happen next…. I sponsored one of the strongest abortion protection laws in the country (2023), which stripped away criminal penalties targeting abortion care and protected the ability of doctors to provide care based on their medical judgment — not the judgment of politicians." (Katie Couric interview)

Jackson also voted to require insurance to cover birth control (2022), and voted yes on MaineCare Funding for Abortion.  

In contrast, Susan Collins voted for the Supreme Court justices that overturned Roe v Wade, most importantly Brett Kavanaugh, the deciding vote. 

Collins also voted No on the federal bill to restore nationwide abortion access, and she voted No opposing Medicaid coverage for abortion services.

On this issue that affects half of our citizens, that is, all women and girls, she has failed you.  Half the country’s population is critical for full participation in democracy, and   critical in providing families and communities and states with their contributions to our economy, our professional class, our working class, and to their ability to participate in civil life.

Let’s help to flip the Senate blue.  Let’s elect Troy Jackson.

Sandy Weisman lives in South Thomaston