MEA Endorses Jackson, Citing His Legislative Record And Commitment To Fighting For Working Families

PORTLAND, ME — Today, during a press conference in Portland, the Maine Education Association (MEA) endorsed fifth-generation Mainer and logger, longtime union member, and former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson for U.S. Senate.

MEA pointed to Jackson’s decades-long record of standing with working people and fighting for teachers and public education — from securing investments in Maine schools, raising wages for school employees, protecting the pension system, and delivering universal school meals so every student can learn on a full stomach.

“My mom was a public school teacher, so I grew up seeing how much educators give to their students and their communities. They deserve fair pay, strong benefits, the freedom to organize, and leaders who will listen to them and stand up for public schools,” said Jackson. “I’m grateful to have the support of MEA and its members, and I’ll bring the same commitment to educators and working people to the U.S. Senate.”

“MEA is proud to endorse Troy Jackson because of his proven track record of standing strong for public education and working-class Mainers. Throughout his two decades in the Maine Legislature, Troy has proven himself to be a relentless champion for working families, public schools, and educators by securing crucial funding, raising wages for school employees, and fighting to protect our pension system,” said MEA President Jesse Hargrove. “MEA members know they can count on Troy to not only show up, but listen when making decisions in Washington, D.C. that impact our students and schools—making him the leader our educators, students, and communities need.”

MEA’s endorsement adds to the growing coalition of more than twenty unions backing Jackson’s campaign for Senate — a reflection of the broad support he has built from working people across Maine. Jackson has paired that grassroots enthusiasm with strong fundraising and polling showing him in a competitive position to defeat Susan Collins this November.

Labor endorsements include:

• Maine Building Trades Council

• Southern Maine Labor Council

• Eastern Maine Labor Council

• United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 9A

• Association of Heat and Frost Insulators & Allied Workers Local 6

• International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers (IW) Local 7

• United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1445

• United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 349

• Interior Systems Union Local 352

• North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters

• Millwrights Local 1121. 

• Communications Workers of America (CWA)

• CWA Local 1400

• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)

• IBEW Local 567

• IBEW Local 104

• International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) 

• IUOE Local 4

• AFL-CIO 

• Maine AFL-CIO

• Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA!) 

• LiUNA! Local 327 

• LiUNA! Local 976

• International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) 

• IUPAT Local DC 35

• International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)

• International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE)

• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

• Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU)

• International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART)

• American Federation of Teachers (AFT)

• UNITE HERE

• American Federation of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA)

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