Who is Troy Jackson?

Troy was born in Allagash, in Maine's North Woods, and grew up there. His mom was 16 when he was born. His dad was a logger, like his dad, and his dad before him.

When Troy was in 7th grade, he saw his first strike. His dad and the other loggers were standing up to a wealthy landowner who thought he could squeeze them for more.

At 19, Troy followed his father into the woods. He put in 80-hour weeks cutting wood, driving trucks and running heavy equipment.

He made his living logging, working 80-hour weeks. In 1998, when powerful landowners tried to drive down loggers’ wages, he fought back. He went to his U.S. Senator — Susan Collins — for help. When that help never came, Troy stepped up and eventually ran for office himself. Working people, he decided, needed one of their own at the table. In 2000 he earned an associate's degree from the University of Maine at Fort Kent.

Troy served 20 years in Augusta: the Maine House from 2002 to 2008, then the Maine Senate from 2008 to 2014 and from 2016 to 2024. His colleagues chose him as Senate President for three terms in a row, from 2018 to 2024.

In the Legislature he helped lower prescription drug costs, deliver universal school meals, pass paid family and medical leave, and protect abortion rights. As Senate President, he passed the law that lets Maine's loggers and haulers bargain collectively (LD 1459).

Troy filed in March 2026 to run for governor. On July 25, 2026, delegates from all 16 counties gathered in Bangor for the Maine Democratic Party's U.S. Senate nominating convention and chose him as the nominee, with 566 votes.

Troy and his longtime partner, Lana, live in Allagash. They have two grown sons, and their first granddaughter was born in September 2026.