Former Maine Senate president Jackson exploring run for governor
"Since wrapping up six years as President of the Maine Senate, I've been humbled by the number of Mainers who've reached out and asked that I consider running for higher office," said Jackson, who concluded his run as Senate president last year, in a written statement.
He said the last election made it clear that Democrats in Washington, D.C. are not doing enough to understand the frustrations of working people.
"I understand the belief that no one is listening or even cares, because I have felt that frustration and heard it from friends and neighbors in communities like the one I grew up in," Jackson said.
"In a time when greedy corporations and wealthy special interests are running the tables in Washington, D.C., it's clear we need leaders here in Maine who will stand up, speak out and fight for every day, working class people."
Jackson said he is forming an exploratory committee as he considers a run for governor. Maine's current governor, Democrat Janet Mills, won't be able to seek re-election next year due to term limits.
A fifth-generation Mainer and logger from Aroostook County, Jackson entered politics in 1998 when he and his fellow loggers blocked the Canadian border in protest of companies hiring foreign workers over Maine loggers.
He spent 20 years in office in Augusta and served three consecutive terms as Senate President up until 2024, when he was termed out of seeking re-election in the Senate.
This story will be updated.
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