Troy Jackson's Senate Campaign Faces Scrutiny Over Son's Lobbying Activities

<p>Former state Senator Troy Jackson has been selected as the Democratic Senate nominee in Maine, succeeding Graham Platner. Jackson supported legislation aimed at allocating millions in public funds to the Maine Maritime Academy while his son, Chace Jackson, was registered as a lobbyist for the institution, according to state lobbying records.</p><p>During his tenure as president of the Maine Senate, Troy Jackson co-sponsored a bill in 2024 that proposed sending $13.4 million to the maritime academy, following a 2023 bill that provided an additional $2 million annually. Both pieces of legislation were introduced while Chace Jackson was lobbying for the college.</p><p>Bernadette Breslin, press secretary for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, criticized Troy Jackson, stating, "Troy Jackson authored Augusta’s failed status quo and has turned public office into a family affair of self-enrichment. He’ll always prioritize personal kickbacks over the needs of working Mainers." </p><p>Prior to his son's lobbying efforts, Jackson had also backed legislation in early 2022 that granted a one-time payment of $6.8 million to the academy for building repairs.</p><p>Chace Jackson first registered as a lobbyist for the Maine Maritime Academy in December 2022 and renewed his registration in January 2024, coinciding with his father's sponsorship of a bill that would have allocated over $10 million to the academy. Although the funding from the 2023 legislation was implemented, the 2024 bill passed the Maine Senate but was not signed into law.</p><p>A spokesperson for the Jackson campaign defended him, stating, "Troy Jackson has fought for working Mainers, and [is] guided by one goal: fixing our broken system so Maine's working families stop getting squeezed while the rich get richer." This statement was made in response to a report by the Washington Free Beacon, which first highlighted the lobbying records.</p><p>In April, Jackson had explained his unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign by stating that the "status quo isn't working" in Maine due to "special interests, high-priced lobbyists and corporate greed." Chace Jackson, in addition to representing the Maine Maritime Academy, has also worked as a lobbyist for various clients, including a multinational alcohol company.</p><p>In 2024, while Troy Jackson served as the Maine Senate president, his son represented nine clients, a number that decreased to five after his father left the chamber in 2025.</p><p>During Jackson's time in the Maine Senate, a bill targeting an oil and gas company failed to pass while Chace Jackson was lobbying for that corporation.</p><p>Troy Jackson is set to compete against incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming November election. He took over the Democratic nomination after Platner's campaign faced multiple controversies, including allegations of misconduct, which led to Platner withdrawing from the race.</p><p>As of Wednesday, neither Troy Jackson, his son, nor the Maine Maritime Academy had responded to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.</p>