Troy Jackson is expected to face Sen. Susan Collins (R) in a crucial race.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) declined Tuesday to endorse Troy Jackson, who is expected to become his party’s nominee in Maine to face Sen. Susan Collins (R) in a crucial Senate race.
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“Bottom line is, my north star has always been: take back the Senate,” Schumer told reporters when asked whether he would endorse Jackson. “We’re going to beat Susan Collins, and we are going to take back the Senate.”
Jackson, a former state Senate president, is expected to become the nominee Saturday at Democrats’ nominating convention. He would replace Graham Platner, who won the Democratic primary last month but dropped out under pressure after a sexual assault allegation, which he denied.
Democrats need to pick up four Senate seats to retake the majority. Collins is the only Republican who represents a state that Kamala Harris won in 2024, making Maine a crucial opportunity for Democrats.
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Schumer’s comments came after Jackson told the New York Times on Monday that he would not support Schumer to remain as Democratic leader in the Senate if he won and that he was not sure he would accept Schumer’s help in the Senate race.
“The Democratic Party needs to have a different approach — getting people back in the party, getting working-class, everyday people back in the party — and I don’t believe it’s going to happen with Senator Schumer,” Jackson said.
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