Former President Barack Obama is wading into Maine’s closely watched U.S. Senate race between Democrat Troy Jackson and Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
On Thursday, the Democrat’s campaign released video of the former president urging voters to pick Jackson, a former state Senate president.
Obama, speaking directly to the camera while sitting in a chair, said he’s “proud to be on board” as a Jackson supporter, citing the candidate’s prior work as a logger and a political leader.
“In this economy, we need a fighter like Troy,” Obama said. “A fifth-generation logger, Troy worked 80 hours a week and still struggled to get by. So as Maine’s Senate president, he fought to raise wages, lower the cost of prescription drugs and provide free lunch to every student in the state. After Roe was overturned. Troy helped protect the right to an abortion in Maine.”
“And now we need Troy to deliver for us in the Senate,” Obama continued. “So do not sit this one out. Get out there and vote for Troy Jackson.”
The 50-second video is one of about two dozen Obama has recorded in key battleground races for U.S. Senate and governor. Politico reported that Obama — arguably the most prominent spokesperson for the Democratic party — is targeting races where he can “move the needle with Democrats and persuadable voters, particularly in states with key races.”
The video seeks to consolidate moderate Democrats and independent voters behind Jackson by focusing on economic issues.
Those voters have proven to be fickle in Maine. A CNN exit poll in 2020 found that Collins earned the support of 13% of Democrats, and that she had a three-point edge with independents in her polls-defying win over former House Speaker Sara Gideon.
Obama’s pro-Jackson message comes only days before progressive U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is slated to hold three rallies with Jackson over the weekend.
Jackson said in a written statement that he was honored to have Obama’s support.
“The momentum we’re seeing in Maine is something I’ve never seen before,” Jackson said. “Working people are sick and tired of a government that works for the wealthy and well-connected while they struggle to get by. They’re ready for change, and together, we’re going to bring that change to Washington.”