Former state Senator Troy Jackson, who replaced Graham Platner as the Democratic Senate nominee in Maine, backed legislation seeking millions of dollars for the Maine Maritime Academy while his son was registered as a lobbyist for the institution, according to public records and state filings reviewed by Fox News Digital.

Jackson's son, Chace Jackson, first registered as a lobbyist for the Maine Maritime Academy in December 2022. At that time, the elder Jackson was serving as president of the Maine Senate. In early 2022, Jackson supported legislation providing the academy with a one-time $6.8 million payment to fund repairs to one of its buildings.

In 2023, Jackson pushed a bill granting the institution an additional $2 million per year in funding—a measure that went into effect. The following year, while his son renewed his lobbying registration in January 2024, Jackson co-sponsored legislation that would have sent $13.4 million to the maritime academy. That bill passed the Maine Senate but was never signed into law.

Chace Jackson also represented an oil and gas corporation whose targeted bill died in the Maine Senate during his father's tenure as Senate president. In addition to representing the Maine Maritime Academy, the younger Jackson worked as a lobbyist for Diageo, the multinational alcohol company behind brands such as Johnnie Walker whiskey and Don Julio tequila.

What the Right Is Saying

National Republican Senatorial Committee press secretary Bernadette Breslin criticized Jackson in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Troy Jackson authored Augusta's failed status quo and has turned public office into a family affair of self-enrichment," Breslin said. "He'll always prioritize personal kickbacks over the needs of working Mainers."

Republicans have highlighted the timing between Jackson's legislative efforts on behalf of the Maine Maritime Academy and his son's lobbying registration as evidence of a conflict of interest. The NRSC is expected to use the disclosures in advertising against Jackson ahead of the November matchup.

The party has also noted that Chace Jackson represented nine clients during 2024 while his father served as Senate president—a number that dropped to five clients after Troy Jackson left the chamber in 2025, drawing attention to the potential appearance of impropriety.

What the Left Is Saying

A spokesperson for the Jackson campaign defended the candidate in statements to the Washington Free Beacon, which first reported on the lobbying records. "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," the spokesperson said.

The campaign has pointed to Jackson's advocacy for maritime and workforce development priorities that benefit coastal communities. Supporters note that lobbying disclosure requirements exist precisely to ensure transparency around such relationships, and that all of Chace Jackson's work was properly registered with the state.

Jackson himself addressed special interest influence during an April gubernatorial campaign event, arguing that "the status quo isn't working" in Maine due to "special interests, high-priced lobbyists and corporate greed."

What the Numbers Show

$6.8 million: One-time payment for Maine Maritime Academy building repairs that Jackson supported in early 2022, before his son registered as a lobbyist for the academy.

$2 million per year: Additional annual funding Jackson secured for the institution in 2023 through legislation he pushed while serving as Senate president; this measure was enacted into law.

$13.4 million: Amount of supplemental funding Jackson co-sponsored in 2024 that passed the Maine Senate but failed to become law, with both pieces of 2024 legislation drafted while his son was registered to lobby for the academy.

9 clients: Number Chace Jackson represented as a lobbyist during 2024 while his father held the Senate presidency.

5 clients: The number dropped to five after Troy Jackson left the Maine Senate in early 2025, according to public lobbying records.

Jackson replaced Graham Platner on the ballot after Platner's campaign was beset by controversies including crude deleted Reddit posts, a Nazi-linked tattoo, and an allegation of rape that prompted his withdrawal from the race.

The Bottom Line

The lobbying disclosures add another layer of scrutiny to Jackson's candidacy as he prepares to face incumbent GOP Sen. Susan Collins in November. Republicans are likely to amplify these revelations in campaign advertising, while Democrats will need to determine how to counter the narrative without appearing defensive.

For voters, the situation raises questions about legislative priorities and potential conflicts of interest, though no laws appear to have been broken—all lobbying activities were properly registered with the state. The episode illustrates the complexities of family involvement in politics and the fine line between constituent service and self-interest that candidates often navigate.

What happens next: Expect both campaigns to sharpen their messaging around government ethics as the race progresses. Collins has served in the Senate since 1997 and carries significant institutional advantages, making any vulnerability worth exploiting for national Republicans seeking to expand their majority.