Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Troy Jackson is a fifth-generation logger from Allagash, Maine, who earned his associate’s degree at the University of Maine at Fort Kent. In a statement provided to the Maine Campus, Jackson outlined why it is important for college students to get involved in politics and what policies he intends to work on to support students.
Jackson shared that his political career began when wealthy landowners cut loggers’ wages without interference from politicians.
“After that experience, I realized nothing would change for me or anyone else unless there was a working-class voice in the room when decisions got made,” said Jackson.
If elected, Jackson said he intends to work with local Maine universities to help address issues most affecting students.
“I’m a product of the University of Maine System myself,” said Jackson. “So I know what a Maine campus means to a rural community and what it takes to get through school without much money.”
Jackson believes that the biggest challenge that college students face today is affordability, an issue that is both personal and a central theme in his campaign. Jackson wrote that he plans to, “lower prescription drug costs, pass Medicare for All, make billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share, cut taxes for working people and invest in public education.”
To Jackson, access to higher education is the most important thing that can be done for young people to ensure that there are pathways in place for the future they want in Maine. After graduation, Jackson thinks that young people should be able to build a life in Maine and “make ends meet.”
“The reality is right now, the cost of everything is too high. In the U.S. Senate, I’ll fight to lower costs across the board, stop taxpayer dollars from going to forever wars and rogue agencies like ICE and I’ll always put Maine first,” said Jackson.
To get involved in politics, Jackson believes college students and young people should first begin by canvassing for the candidates and causes they believe in. He suggests attending a town council or school board meeting, testifying at a legislative hearing or organizing friends and family around a common issue they care about.
“Politics gets a bad rap these days, but at the end of the day, it just means coming together with people to fight for common causes that you believe in. You just need to show up and keep showing up,” stated Jackson.
Jackson stated that political decisions such as tuition, student loans, the cost of rent, health care and the job market are impacting the lives of many young people. Jackson believes that one should start by looking at what is affecting one’s own life and have a say in those decisions through voting.
“Election day is November 3, and every student should have their say in the future direction of our communities and of our country,” said Jackson.
The Maine Campus also reached out to U.S. Sen. Susan Collins’ campaign for comment but had not received a response as of publication.
