In video endorsement, Obama backs Jackson for Senate

Former President Barack Obama endorsed Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Troy Jackson on Thursday. 

“Troy Jackson is running to be your next senator, and I’m proud to be on board,” Obama said in a video message. “In this economy, we need a fighter like Troy.”

The video weighing into Maine’s race against incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins is one of two dozen the former president has recorded for key U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections where Democrats have the chance to make gains. 

Obama was the last president to have won all of Maine’s four electoral votes, which he did during his first election and re-election. 

In explaining his support for Jackson, Obama highlighted the fifth-generation logger’s roots working 80-hour weeks and his previous work as Maine Senate president fighting to raise wages, lower the cost of prescription drugs and provide free lunch to Maine students. 

“After Roe was overturned, Troy helped protect the right to an abortion in Maine,” Obama added, referring to a slate of laws passed during Jackson’s tenure, including expanding access to abortion later in pregnancy and protecting the state’s health professionals from being targeted by other states’ abortion bans.

“And now we need Troy to deliver for us in the Senate.”