Troy Jackson, the Democratic Senate candidate in Maine and a fifth-generation logger, is facing widespread criticism from both political parties after a campaign advertisement featuring him drinking bubble tea went viral. The ad, which Jackson’s campaign posted on X, shows the candidate sipping boba while responding to a question about Republican ad spending, a visual choice that critics across the ideological spectrum described as incongruent with his working-class branding. The backlash occurred as Jackson trails incumbent Senator Susan Collins by three points in a crucial race that will determine control of the U.S. Senate.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive commentators and Democratic strategists expressed confusion and disappointment over the advertisement, arguing that it undermined Jackson’s authentic persona. Democratic strategist Steve Schale noted on X that Maine has the oldest median age electorate in the nation, stating, "I know I’m not a DC strategist but I really, really don’t get it." Liberal influencer Harry Sisson described the video as "unhelpful and cringey," urging the campaign to "change it up! No boba tea!" Left-wing podcaster Kyle Kulinski criticized the strategy behind the ad, suggesting that the consultants advising Jackson were the same ones who mishandled previous campaigns. "Just get out there and tell the truth and speak from the heart for economic justice and against war," Kulinski wrote. "You're smarter than this."
What the Right Is Saying
Republican commentators and operatives seized on the ad to challenge Jackson’s masculinity and working-class credentials, framing the boba tea as evidence of a disconnect between the candidate and his purported base. National Republican Senatorial Committee Southern Regional Press Secretary Reilly Richardson posted "Weird" on X. GOP communicator Steve Guest noted, "Looks like the first time that Troy Jackson has ever had boba." Former Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh highlighted the irony of Democrats previously emphasizing the masculine nature of their Maine campaign. "Want to remind you that Democrats were openly proud of how masculine their Maine campaign was going to be and then they ran this ad," Murtaugh said. Republican communicator Matt Whitlock suggested the ad reflected a lack of understanding of the candidate's demographic by social media managers, noting it looked like "gen-z women" running the account.
What the Numbers Show
According to a New York Times/Siena poll conducted September 15–22, Senator Susan Collins leads Jackson with 49% support among likely voters, compared to Jackson’s 46%, with 5% undecided. This three-point margin is within the survey’s margin of error. The poll marks the first time Collins has led Jackson since he replaced former nominee Graham Platner in late July. Platner, who won the June primary, withdrew from the race following a ProPublica report alleging sexual misconduct, which he denied. Despite Collins’ lead in candidate preference, the poll indicates that 55% of respondents prefer Democrats to control the Senate next year, while 43% prefer Republicans to retain the majority. The ad on X has been viewed more than 2 million times.
The Bottom Line
The viral ad highlights the challenges campaigns face in maintaining consistent messaging in the digital age, particularly when traditional branding clashes with social media trends. With the Senate balance of power at stake, the Jackson campaign’s response to this controversy may influence voter perceptions in the final weeks of the election. Jackson’s campaign has not yet issued a formal statement addressing the specific criticism of the boba tea ad, though Jackson has previously attacked Collins’ record on corruption allegations. Polls remain tight, and the outcome in Maine is expected to be a decisive factor in the 2026 Senate control battle.