Troy Jackson for U.S. Senate
I am an unenrolled voter with no party affiliation. I do not ascribe to the Vote Blue No Matter Who admonishment as being the solution to all our problems. I have been following and supporting Troy Jackson for over a decade. He has earned that support and now my vote for U.S. Senate for more reasons than can be listed here. But here are a few, most of which are on Jackson's list of priorities on his campaign website, others are my additions which I have no doubt he would support.
Single Payer Medicare for All: To me the U.S. health insurance system is the greatest racket, scam, fraud, injustice, embarrassment, and economic crisis we are facing. Jackson has made it clear for years that he supports single-payer Medicare for All and will as Senator.
Ending Citizens United: The amount of money being spent by corporations on our elections since this ruling is mind-boggling, undemocratic, and has solidified an oligarchic system in which the voices and votes of regular people are being rendered powerless. Ending Citizens United is a top priority for Jackson.
Renewable Energy Transition with Strong Labor Standards: Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez, and Ramirez have introduced the Green New Deal for Public Housing Act, addressing the climate crisis, energy costs, affordable housing, and labor standards in one fell swoop. Jackson's record on establishing wind power in northern Maine and other renewable efforts, his well-known prioritization of workers' rights, and his long-time active support for affordable housing leave me with no doubt he would support efforts such as these.
Lifting the Cap on Social Security Payments: Jackson supports removing the cap on Social Security contributions so that those making over $184,500 pay according to their income as the rest of us do. In my view, this is the only fair and real way to keep Social Security solvent.
Raising the Federal Minium Wage to a Living Wage: In 2026, the federal minimum wage remains $7.25 per hour. It has not changed since 2009. While over 30 states have set higher rates, it is long past time for the federal government to address this. Jackson has not spoken on this so far, but raising the minimum wage would entirely align with his stances on economic justice.
Healthcare Services Crisis: Jackson's record of protecting veterans' homes from closing and his consistent presence in protesting the loss of nursing homes and labor and delivery services around the state are clear. If there is a way as Senator for him to staunch the hemmorhage of Maine's health care providers, services, and facilities, I know he will find it.
Immigration: In addition to ending ICE and the trauma rained on our communities by that agency, Jackson has spoken many times on the need for a humane, doable immigration system so that people can be here legally and lead productive lives as members of our communities and workforce.
Reproductive Rights: Jackson has over a decade of sponsoring and supporting legislation protecting women's self-determination when it comes to reproductive health. One of his culminating achievements as Maine Senate President was the passage of one of the most progressive abortion rights bills in the U.S. right after Roe vs. Wade was undone.
Ending Expensive, Unjust Wars and Agression: The massive use our tax dollars, human and environmental devastation, harm to relationships with U.S. allies, and threat to our global and national security that are being caused by U.S. military aggression in a number of regions of the world that have not threatened us is not sustainable and is dangerous. We need a Senator who will use his position responsibly, humanely, and with common sense in restoring our international relations and presence.
There are many more critical issues on which I trust Troy Jackson 100 percent, including protecting our voting rights, civil rights, and Indigenous rights. I know he will vote the way he says he will. I know he will not forget Maine during his tenure in DC. In Troy Jackson, we have the opportunity to elect a new Senator from Maine who has experience, common sense, integrity, who is not beholden to big money, and who has shown again and again his commitment to us.
Carla White lives in South Thomaston
