Maine Democratic Senate nominee Troy Jackson has reaffirmed his characterization of the conflict in Gaza as a "genocide" and stated he opposes further U.S. military aid to Israel, despite objections from some Jewish constituents in the state. Jackson, who replaced former candidate Graham Platner in the race, made these comments during a recent town hall and in an interview with Portland’s NBC News affiliate, positioning himself in direct opposition to incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins on foreign policy.
What the Right Is Saying
Sen. Susan Collins, a longtime advocate for the U.S.-Israel relationship, stands in contrast to Jackson’s rhetoric. Collins has consistently voted to maintain military aid to Israel, arguing that the alliance is crucial for regional stability and U.S. interests. Her campaign views Jackson’s comments as a departure from traditional Democratic foreign policy support and a potential liability in a general election.
Conservative observers note that Jackson’s refusal to distinguish between Hamas’s initial attack on October 7 and Israel’s subsequent military response ignores the complexity of the conflict. By asserting a moral equivalence where "horrific murders are happening to both sides," Jackson dismisses the specific context of Israel’s stated defensive goals against Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.
Critics from the right argue that Jackson’s rhetoric risks alienating Jewish voters and moderate independents in Maine who value the bipartisan tradition of supporting Israel. They point to Collins’s long record of bipartisan cooperation and her previous electoral success, including her 2020 reelection by nearly 10 points despite trailing in polls, as evidence that voters in Maine prefer a steady, pro-Israel hand over what they view as radical rhetoric.
What the Left Is Saying
Jackson argues that the U.S. should cease funding what he describes as a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. At a town hall event, he stated he is "not willing to vote for any more bombs" or additional aid, asserting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a "war criminal" whom he would prosecute. Jackson emphasized that innocent people are being killed and that the situation "fits that description" of genocide.
When addressing concerns raised by Jewish Mainers about the use of the term "genocide" given its historical association with the Holocaust, Jackson acknowledged the sensitivity but maintained his position. "It’s unfortunate that there are people here in Maine that don’t like to use that term only because they’re Jewish and what that means to them," Jackson said. "It fits that description and it is. It’s an unbelievable thing that’s happened there that people that are innocent are being murdered, and it is a genocide."
Jackson also drew a parallel between the actions of Hamas and the Israeli government, stating, "You could argue the same thing for Hamas too. There’s people that are wrong on both sides of this issue." He criticized Sen. Collins for voting to send billions in military aid to Israel, framing her support as part of a "broken Washington system" that prioritizes foreign conflicts over the needs of working people in Maine.
What the Numbers Show
The race for the Maine Senate seat is currently rated as a toss-up by The Cook Political Report, indicating its potential significance in determining control of the U.S. Senate. Recent polling data shows a tight contest. The RealClearPolitics average has Jackson leading Collins by less than one percentage point. However, a New York Times/Siena poll released last week showed Collins ahead by three points.
According to the New York Times/Siena survey, voters who rank Israel as a top issue favor Sen. Collins. This demographic split highlights the potential electoral impact of Jackson’s anti-Israel stance. Historically, Collins has outperformed pre-election polls; in her 2020 reelection, she won by nearly 10 points after trailing in most pre-election surveys, suggesting that her incumbent advantage and name recognition remain significant factors.
Jackson entered the race after Graham Platner dropped out amid a rape allegation, which Platner denies. Platner had surged in the polls with a populist, anti-war message, consistently leading Collins before his withdrawal. Jackson is now attempting to capitalize on the anti-Israel sentiment that fueled Platner’s campaign while facing the challenge of appealing to a broader electorate in a state with a significant Jewish population.
The Bottom Line
Jackson’s insistence on labeling the Gaza conflict a "genocide" and his opposition to military aid mark a significant shift in the Democratic primary’s foreign policy discourse in Maine. As the general election approaches, the disparity between Jackson’s rhetoric and Collins’s established pro-Israel record may become a central issue, particularly given polling data indicating that Israel-focused voters lean toward Collins.
With the race rated as a toss-up, the outcome could hinge on whether Jackson’s progressive base turnout outweighs Collins’s ability to retain moderate and Jewish voters who are uncomfortable with his characterization of the war. The coming weeks will reveal if Jackson’s doubling down on this issue energizes his base or expands Collins’s coalition in a state where she has historically defied polling expectations.