Independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is campaigning with Troy Jackson, the Democratic candidate in Maine’s Senate race, this weekend, his first public appearance in the Pine Tree State since the fallout over Graham Platner’s campaign this summer. Sanders is set to appear at events with Jackson in Bangor, Biddeford and Lewiston in events as Jackson works to motivate the Democratic base to come out to the polls to support him against longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins. It’s one of the most competitive races of the midterms.
Maine backed former Vice President Kamala Harris by 7 points in 2024, and Democrats are optimistic about a favorable national environment driven by President Donald Trump’s dwindling national approval rating. But Collins is seen as a formidable candidate who has won by large margins in the past due to her personal popularity and moderate image. Sanders, who caucuses with the Democratic Party, campaigned in Maine with Platner, a progressive oysterman who first won the Democratic nomination back in June.
But Platner’s campaign was rattled after he faced sexual assault allegations. He denied any wrongdoing but ultimately dropped out of the race. Some Democrats have taken issue with Sanders for helping to elevate Platner despite what they viewed as red flags about his candidacy.
Still, Sanders campaigning with Jackson could be beneficial for the Democrat, Ronald Schmidt, professor of political science at the University of Southern Maine, told Newsweek on Saturday. Jackson campaign spokesperson Dan Gottlieb wrote in a statement to Newsweek that the campaign is “excited to welcome Senator Sanders to Maine to rally with Troy Jackson.” “Bernie and Troy know that working people built this country and deserve a government that fights for them. Susan Collins has had nearly 30 years to deliver, and working Mainers are still getting squeezed while she serves the billionaires and corporate interests who bankroll her campaigns,” he wrote.
Newsweek also reached out to Collins' campaign for comment via email. The Maine Senate race is one of the most important of this year’s elections. Democrats are increasingly hopeful about their chances of taking back control of the Senate, and the Maine race is considered to be one of their best chances to flip a GOP-held seat given the state’s Democratic lean.
Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority, so Democrats have to flip four seats to win control of the Senate, as Vice President JD Vance would serve as the tiebreaker in an evenly divided chamber. Being a state that Trump lost three times, Maine is a top pickup opportunity for Democrats. If Democrats fail to flip Maine, their path to a Senate majority would narrow, as they’d have to make up that loss in a more conservative state.
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