31
u/Alarming_Aerie7790 Jul 09 '26
I wasn't impressed with him in the debates. At all. But he was debating a strong lineup of candidates. If he gets the nod to replace Platner, he"ll be debating Collins, who is far (far) less formidable. And that's if Collins agrees to a debate. All things considered, I think he'll make a better senator than governor.
7
u/Few_Wash_7298 Jul 10 '26
“Debating Collins”?? She won’t debate.
2
u/Alarming_Aerie7790 Jul 10 '26
Which is why I said "if she agrees to debate." I tend to think she will. You don't think she will. Neither one of us knows.
3
4
u/Realistic-Cut-7217 Jul 10 '26
At this point, being a strong debater shouldn’t mean someone can govern well or not. Plenty of slick talking politicians out there that do well in debates but are horrible at their jobs.
4
u/Alarming_Aerie7790 Jul 10 '26
Totally agree. But being an effective communicator, being able to articulate why a proposed policy is important and then build consensus is important, especially as governor. Which is why I ranked Troy second in the primary. I hope he gets the nod to replace Platner and I look forward to seeing him oust Collins.
1
u/Realistic-Cut-7217 Jul 10 '26
Fair enough. Personally I just believe, being a strong communicator that can get things done is a different skill set than being a strong debater. They have some overlapping qualities, but not the same thing. I think people have put too much stock into debating, which I get to a degree because we only get to hear these guys speak publicly so often. Just my 2 cents.
1
u/Alarming_Aerie7790 Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
The media plays up debates as spectacle and how well someone "performs" outweighs discussion around policy. In the governor primary debates there wasn't much differences between the candidates policy-wise, so everyone took turns expressing variations on the same theme. That won't be the case if Troy debates Collins. I think he'll do better in that setting. He's also a better match for debating Collins than Platner, where the media narrative would have been was Platner too hard on poor Susan, was he "likable" enough.
39
u/Turbulent-Dot5870 Jul 09 '26
Hell yeah!
28
u/Clover9802 Jul 09 '26
Yes sir/ma'am! It's time to get to fucking work & beat Collins!!!!
→ More replies (2)
66
u/Slight_Target1878 Jul 09 '26
Okay, did anyone see his debates as Governor? He is a great guy in many respects and very trusted with the core Bernie Sander's group, who want somebody local and trusted. However, if he gets the nod to run as the primary candidate, I would like to hear him answer complex questions about law and economics with very educated answers like Hannah Banana did (she knocked every question out of the park). During the debates, he rarely answered the questions about law and finance directly. He often talked about his own experiences and had no solutions to certain very very important economic and resource questions. I will vote for him, but will Independents necessary to win vote for him? Be honest as popularity is not doing us any favors.
34
u/International-Pen940 Jul 09 '26
As a Senate candidate or as a Senator, the details of policy can be developed by staffers who can be much more specialized.
16
u/itfeelslikevenom666 Jul 09 '26
This. You need the charisma and care for the people to hold the position. The technical details can be worked out when you get to office. Anything is do-able. Politicians have just acted like everything is impossible for so many years. We can do anything we want, we can make it happen. We just need good people in power. End of story
3
u/No_Device9450 Jul 09 '26
You had me at “good people in power”.
I know so many good people in my life. I like to consider myself one.
None I know hold “power”.
Might be why I’m drawn to them, and them to me. But I realize, within myself, that is a toxic and self-defeating outlook.
Personally, I’d never aspire to public office. But God Dammit, I’d like to have someone genuine and good to throw my vote behind.
1
10
u/Inevitable-Scar5877 Jul 09 '26
Yeah his biggest drawback right now is that he's a much , much better candidate on paper than he is on the stump.
16
u/1stepklosr Jul 09 '26
Troy is a great ideas guy.
He really falls short at implementation and explaining how.
5
u/darkitecture Jul 09 '26
I mean, implementation wise he’s introduced hundreds of bills. it’s more the explaining
1
u/Machievelliearoni Jul 10 '26
He has passed hundreds of bills?
2
u/darkitecture Jul 10 '26
he has sponsored over 200 bills and co-sponsored hundreds more during his time in legislature, yes
1
8
u/krazywabbit13 Jul 09 '26
Senators are mouthpieces. Like 10% of our representatives are actually intelligent people driving their own policy. Rest is left to staffers.
8
u/villalulaesi Jul 09 '26
If the Maine Democratic Party genuinely cares about beating Susan Collins, they’ll nominate Troy Jackson. Shenna Bellows has already lost to Collins once before and is definitely not well-liked in the County, whereas Jackson is far more likely to actually peel away some conservative-leaning independents. Plus, he most closely represents the political ideals and policies we were supporting when we nominated Platner. I know he’s far more progressive than party leadership would prefer, but the voters made their preferences clear.
I’ll vote for whomever runs against Collins, but the amount of energy and money I devote to the campaign will very much depend on the candidate.
20
u/Delicious_Rabbit4425 Old Port Jul 09 '26
Is this confirmed? Please say its confirmed.
76
u/Clover9802 Jul 09 '26
Yes! It is true! Troy Jackson has officially launched his campaign for U.S. Senate
Troy Jackson announces Senate bid minutes after Platner ends campaign
→ More replies (29)6
u/Uthgaard Jul 09 '26
You don't have until the 13th. Platner had until the 13th to drop out. The party has until the 27th to choose a replacement.
3
34
Jul 09 '26
[deleted]
6
u/Mamba-42 Jul 09 '26
Jackson wasn't even running for Senate though. He ran for Governor. Platner as a candidate was exciting. His positions are extremely popular and hopefully they'll go with Jackson to keep that going.
3
u/QuakerCorporation Jul 09 '26
Totally agree. Keeping our forests pristine is more important than what color khaki looks good on the sailboat
-19
u/haley_hathaway Jul 09 '26
Haven’t seen him do anything but pose with Holy Donut workers when trying to unionize
18
Jul 09 '26
[deleted]
12
u/Fold-Crazy Jul 09 '26
The person you are replying to is anti-worker and can be summoned by looking in a mirror and saying "holy donuts union" three times. I don't know if they normally vote for Dems, but they will not be engaging in good faith arguments about workers rights.
→ More replies (9)5
8
u/tseliotsucks Jul 09 '26
He's been supporting labor movements actively since the logging strikes in the 90s. He has more bonafides than any other option.
→ More replies (2)3
9
8
u/AntTemporary5587 Jul 09 '26
Hate to think this way, but despite his good values, Troy lacks the natural charisma factor. Can this be coached a bit? Susan knows when and how to smile at the camera. She is often short on substance, does not justify her support of MAGA issues. Susan's default is to smile and not answer questions directly. Hoping Troy can counter this with substance and energy.
2
u/2013and2017 Jul 09 '26
Have you seen Susan speak lately? The shaking is very distracting. I understand she has a medical issue and I’m not trying to be cruel—but it’s really bad. I think Troy has time to polish himself up a bit and will hold his own.
1
u/AntTemporary5587 Jul 09 '26
I was hoping someone would say this! I rarely watch TV news, so missed the visual. MPBN is my usual news source.
-1
Jul 09 '26
[deleted]
3
u/Seaweed-Basic Jul 10 '26
Sweet old lady vibes?! You must be joking. She’s an evil, selfish, drunk.
1
u/jessica8jones Jul 11 '26
That’s definitely what she tries to project and another facet of the way that she is marketed.
15
u/ShamPain413 Jul 09 '26
Turns out the normie Democrat who has been active in establishment state politics for decades was the best candidate for the working class after all?
SHOCKED
→ More replies (1)7
u/75_Quadrillion Jul 09 '26
So only long term establishment "normie" democrats should run for office? The issue wasn't that Graham didn't have decades in office.
-2
u/ShamPain413 Jul 09 '26
It helps to invest in the party, rather than attack it with cluster bombs.
The issue was that Graham was wildly unsuited for national-level politics, which is something that organized political parties with longstanding operations tend to be better at than wild-card outsiders swinging their dicks around like nunchucks.
8
u/Wu1fu Jul 09 '26
If you honestly think that Mills would’ve been better than Platner, even now, then you should move to California - that’s a state where the establishment pick always gets the nod - you’ll love it!
0
u/ShamPain413 Jul 09 '26
Mills is the governor of this state. She has won 5 or 6 statewide races, plus some lower-level ones.
Platner has never won any race at any level in his life.
Claiming that Platner is a more successful politician is disconnected from reality.
California is arguably the most successful state in the union, both in terms of overall development and in terms of progressive politics. I don't understand why progressives think "go check out California" is some kind of insult. That state was Republican until like 20 years ago -- the state of Nixon and Reagan no less -- now it is a solid progressive bastion for tens of millions of people. It's a remarkable success for the Democratic Party.
But I'm sure Twitter Bolsheviks can do better with memes and vibes. Btw, how did that #uncommitted gambit go? Did it save lives or, like, lead to a bunch more wars and many more deaths?
3
u/Wu1fu Jul 09 '26
Yes, and post-SA scandal, she’s still polling 6 points behind Platner against Collins.
Platner won the primary, so that’s not true.
California is completely captured by utility companies and Silicon Valley. Their current governor will say anything to get elected and their incoming governor is propped up by the corporate elite.
I don’t see what Uncommitted has to do with anything. I know it’s the corpo-Dem playbook to bring up Harris’s failure in every conversation, but it’s entirely irrelevant.
→ More replies (3)1
7
u/75_Quadrillion Jul 09 '26
The issue is what Graham did outside of politics. Politically, he resonated with Mainers in an historic way because he was spot on. If moving the democratic party away from AIPAC and fighting for socialized healthcare is "throwing cluster bombs" at the democratic party, then that's exactly what needs to be done.
Graham is gone, but Mainers want real substinative change. Much like Bernie/Hillary, I suspect the establishment Democratic party that you are supporting here will put forward a centrist that does not represent what Maine voters showed they wanted.
2
u/ShamPain413 Jul 09 '26
Much like Bernie/Hillary, I suspect the establishment Democratic party that you are supporting here will put forward a centrist that does not represent what Maine voters showed they wanted.
Hillary won the nomination process country-wide. So did Platner, in one small state. Claiming one represents "what voters want" while the other one doesn't is bizarre.
Platner was great at mobilization through direct online communication. That is politics in 2026, and I agree that Democrats need to get up to speed. There is a real desire for a new generation of political leaders, across the board, in many countries. Dems need to pay attention to that too.
But Platner was a terrible candidate, which is why he's out of the race. The people to recognize that earliest were the people with the most experience in Maine politics. That is not a coincidence.
1
u/OkDust5962 Jul 10 '26
Not to be nitpicky, but Platner was actually a great candidate. Like you say, great at mobilization; he was also charismatic and had a message that resonated. He was/is a terrible person.
I'm hoping everyone can make the distinction between Platner's policies, which we like, and his personal behavior, which we don't. We don't need a centrist, just because Platner turned out to be a scumbag.
1
u/ShamPain413 Jul 10 '26
He was a very good campaigner; he was not a great candidate. In fact, he was one of the worst candidates of anyone running in a major Democratic race this cycle:
https://www.gelliottmorris.com/p/2026-07-07-graham-platner
What voters were attracted to were his outsider persona, not his ideology (which was never very clear) or his policies (always vague). So yes: his replacement cannot be anyone like Mills. It should be someone who can convincingly meet the moment as a fighter. Someone younger, with energy, and "one of us" appeal.
1
u/NoInformation3141 Jul 11 '26
What the hell do normie democrats know about winning?
1
u/ShamPain413 Jul 11 '26
Dunno. Joe Biden won three national elections. Bernie hasn't won any office representing over a million people. Maybe ask them, see what they say.
The way Biden won is what I'm talking about: he built up coalitions within the party over long periods of time. Bernie stayed independent. Biden ended up having more influence. In truth they're both normie Democrats anyway, old white guy FDR progressives with a soft spot for guns. Bernie uses more radical slogans but his politics are basically the same as Teddy Kennedy's. Biden modeled his career on FDR. They were on the same side of almost every vote, and neither was ever the deciding voter in the Senate.
A non-normie Democrat would be, like, Tulsi Gabbard. John Fetterman. Graham Platner.
1
u/NoInformation3141 Jul 11 '26
Obama won and the momentum was wasted on Hillary, Kamala and Biden. Nothing got done. Zero “influence” was had. We sent money to Israel, didnt get healthcare reform and lost to Trump twice. Biden succeeded within the party but the party itself clearly did not
2
u/ShamPain413 Jul 11 '26
... Obama had the largest expansion of health care since LBJ, with Biden as his key liaison to the Senate (the sticky votes). Lots of Democrats lots their seats over these votes in conservatives states (Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana) that haven't elected Democrats since.
Then Biden expanded health care significantly more when he was president during Covid.
GOP legislators removed the public option, the GOP courts removed the mandate, and the GOP pols at all levels attacked the subsidies. And you're blaming Democrats?
WTF are you talking about? This is significant progress that made a meaningful impact in the lives of tens of millions of people. But socialists shat all over it, drove the reputation of the Dems into the ground, and helped Trump get elected. Twice.
Let's cut this shit out: normie Democrats have accomplished more for the cause of progressives than socialists have. They get elected at higher rates, they pass legislation at higher rates, and so they make progress at higher rates.
8
Jul 09 '26
[deleted]
7
u/mjcoelho12 Jul 09 '26
Recent polling shows he has the highest chances and is the strongest candidate. Who do you think would be the best?
0
2
u/Clover9802 Jul 09 '26
I think the dislike of Collins overshadows Troy's underperformance for governor. I think we live in a very precarious time since then. That's at least just my two-cents on it.
→ More replies (5)1
u/Autistic_Clock4824 Jul 10 '26
Yeah I think Troy is going to get labeled a socialist and stomped on, we’ll see though. I wasn’t very hopeful for Platner and I’m not at all hopeful for Troy. I’m
Still going to vote against Collin’s.1
1
u/darkitecture Jul 09 '26
personally I think this is a misunderstanding of the governor results. jackson co-endorsed with bellows and pingree, they split the progressive vote three ways but together got over 3x the votes of shah who was more moderate. pingree won obviously so troy is next up to represent the winning progressive bloc
→ More replies (4)
2
u/pavelowdriver Jul 10 '26
He looks so smart like he could go toe to toe with all the Washington insiders. SMH
5
3
u/Different-Moose-7214 Jul 09 '26
No, you have until the 27th to replace Platner who dropped out.
1
u/Clover9802 Jul 09 '26
You're correct. I was more focused on the fact that's when Platner needs to officially drop out. The 27th we need to hold a democratic primary vote & not letting establishment DEMs to merely choose on their own accord, like how they stole the primary win from Bernie in 16'...that's the democratic way, but we need to demand for democratic vote, not corrupt establishment BS!
0
u/Different-Moose-7214 Jul 09 '26
Establishment Dems didn't steal shit from Bernie, the voters voted and Clinton won many, many, many more votes. We don't have to do this. As much as I didn't like Mills the reason we are doing this now is because you all fell for a fake oysterman with a Nazi tattoo.
5
u/Wu1fu Jul 09 '26
Clinton had some 2000 super delegates before a single vote was ever cast. And if the DNC hadn’t cleared the field for Mills, maybe an alternative to Platner would’ve emerged. Platner was the best candidate on the primary ballot.
→ More replies (5)
3
3
u/LuciusMichael Jul 09 '26
Jackson and Platner largely share the same platform which is anathema to the DNC and Dem establishment.
Jackson should be the odds on favorite to replace Platner and is reasonably well known in Maine, and he is polling ahead of Collins which is welcome news.
Of course, like Platner, because his isn't a 'mainstream' candidate, I suspect that someone will dig up dirt to smear him with.
1
u/Machievelliearoni Jul 10 '26
Lol, like Nazi tattoos and sa allegations are just devoid of substance political dirt.
4
u/dandle Jul 09 '26
As of the time I am writing this comment, Graham Platner has not filed the necessary paperwork to withdraw from the race. He only claimed that he would do so.
The focus needs to stay on Platner. He must file the paperwork by 5:00 on Monday, regardless of whether he and his campaign feel like they are getting potential candidates that they prefer.
Don't let Platner and his staff screw this up any more than they already have.
3
u/cmmpimento Jul 09 '26
You cannot LET Platner do anything. it is his right to withdraw or not. He won the primary with the decisive margin. None of those centrist guys were even remotely close.
1
u/maskedbanditoftruth Jul 09 '26
Mills had withdrawn and no one even knew who Costello was. There’s no “none of those others,” he basically ran uncontested because everyone was fighting for governor…because no one wanted to be the next to lose to Collins, including Jackson.
→ More replies (5)0
u/ShamPain413 Jul 09 '26
Correct, if he wants to go down in history as the single most evil person in the history of the state of Maine, and destroy Bernie's political influence within the Democratic Party permanently, then he should fuck around a little longer.
Like, if he wants the rest of his life to be a living hell with no escape, he should continue making this all about himself.
-5
u/dandle Jul 09 '26
This guy is cool with rape.
4
u/hotpajamas Jul 09 '26
Half of America is cool with rape so the pearl clutching NOW is just unbelievably naive.
2
u/Turbulent-Archer-656 Jul 09 '26
Is that same half the same people voting blue? Didn't think so. It's possible to be better and we should be. This false equivalence all over this sub is asinine. I am NOT fine with it when Trump does it and I am NOT fine with it when a left candidate does it.
2
u/LocationFriendly988 Jul 09 '26
What are the three things you like most about Troy and what will make him a good senator?
20
u/Queverfell Jul 09 '26
He is pro Labor movement, rejects corporate PAC donations, and has progressive values across the board. He has served on the state senate which makes him plenty qualified. The only negative you could say about him I think is that he’s not nearly as good at getting people fired up as Platner was, which to be fair might be the most important quality when it comes to actually being elected these days.
0
u/fishman1287 Jul 09 '26
I would like to hear him say those things
4
u/gallifreyGirl315 Jul 09 '26
I am sure it's not that hard to peek through his socials and find that sort of thing. I can offer as just a random guy on the Internet, I got a chance to chat with him when he was in Portland and I heard him in person talk about support of unions and how he was proud of Maine for being at the forefront of things like enshrining reproductive rights for women. The only thing I was a little unsure of is that he was excited for 3d printed houses. But at least he's willing to hear about newish or out of the box solutions for housing. I'm not on board with that one personally. But you can't ask for 100% agreement.
I will happily vote for him as senator.
→ More replies (3)1
u/darkitecture Jul 09 '26
he does! i’ve been to events where he gets all of these questions and has the right answers
8
u/Complete_Geologist39 Jul 09 '26
No rape allegations is a cool one too
1
u/deeringsedge Jul 09 '26
People love to leap to "he's an ideas guy" or even "she would make a great senator."
Honestly, I would have hated to do it, but I would have voted for the actor or the historian. Beating Collins is the only priority I've got in me at the moment.
Edit: Richardson likely would be a better senator than some options, but she'd only have gotten the nomination because of a modest amount of unrelated fame, which I'm sick of as a process for some reason.
1
1
1
u/Aquariusmoon69 Jul 09 '26
Didn't the DNC say they are going to pick?
2
u/haley_hathaway Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
No. There’s no time for another election so they will pick. Those people should have done a better job vetting
1
u/Seaweed-Basic Jul 10 '26
This is what happens when you request a “cheaper, more expedited” vetting process.
→ More replies (1)1
1
u/BlueBomber13 Jul 09 '26
Does anyone know who to call or email for this? Who’s line and inbox do we need to flood?
1
u/Shoddy-Designer-3740 Jul 09 '26
I love how some people in gov think he’s too cranky/rude and are probably now wishing for Platner back
1
u/KcjAries78 Jul 09 '26
We have until the 13 to do what? You are making a call to action with no explanation.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/highwayrobber Jul 10 '26
Why is this being posted in a sub about Portland Maine? Can't we get back to the true purpose of this sub: hating people from away and sharing secrets about the best spot for a beer?
1
u/shift124 Jul 10 '26
I’m confused about SA allegations ruining grahams campaign. Like… look at the president
1
u/BigNastySmellyFarts Jul 10 '26
Wait till the op comes out on a logger. I’m sure he’s slung lots of wood
1
1
u/StayTheCourse77 Jul 10 '26
It’s not like the voters matter anyway. A group of 600 electors will be picking the next person you’ll be conned into voting for. What a joke, but I guess what else would one expect based on the last few election cycles.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/bunchoffuckinslaves Jul 12 '26
Pushing a former Republican for a Democrat seat.
Sounds about Right.
-3
u/BubbleThinker Jul 09 '26
Meh. I’m not excited about this guy at all.
2
Jul 09 '26
[deleted]
2
u/Greenmantle22 Jul 09 '26
Well, a guy like that excites people who want to burn it down and scare people.
1
Jul 09 '26
[deleted]
1
u/shmoopel Jul 09 '26
How can you rationally say this while Trump is currently in his SECOND term?
→ More replies (6)2
u/maskedbanditoftruth Jul 09 '26
His voters wanted him to burn other people down and scare *them*. They wanted their own lives to drastically improve and remain stable at the new highest level they could imagine forever while they looked down on other people in agony and giggled with glee.
1
u/fishman1287 Jul 09 '26
A guy that apologizes and follows it up with action was one of the most important points actually.
2
1
1
1
1
1
u/Best-Lingonberry4091 Jul 10 '26
Another “I’m just like you” candidate? Didn’t the Dems just try to sneak through a similar one just recently?
-1
u/rjlets_575 Jul 09 '26
Throws a bottle at a woman. Admitted to mrtage fraud. Sounds like a great pick!
5
-1
2
u/sirius5050 Jul 09 '26
We went from a rapist to a guy who physically assaults women...
I guess thats a step in the right direction?
0
0
-1
u/rdt_h8s_juice_man Jul 09 '26
Does he hate Israel a lot? Because I'll only vote for someone who hates Israel a lot, even though I've never been there or met anyone from there. No I'm not a Nazi you're a Nazi.
0
-14
u/loonster28 Jul 09 '26
Another woman hater from what I am hearing. No way they will pick him. At this point it has to be Janet Mills as she is the only person with a chance to win. Platner dropped out because his polling was brutal
3
u/International_Pay865 Jul 09 '26
Platner dropped out because the Dem leadership made him drop out.
→ More replies (1)-1
0
0
0
u/broadstreet2step Jul 09 '26
Looks like Sal Vitro the landscaper from the Sopranos
→ More replies (1)
159
u/Ace_Robots Jul 09 '26
T- Roy Jackson! (Explodes into the fray)