AUGUSTA – Sen. Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, was unanimously re-elected by members of the Maine Senate to serve a second term as Senate President at the Augusta Civic Center earlier today. Pres. Jackson will be the first person from Aroostook County to serve two consecutive terms as Senate President. Acting Chief Justice, Hon. Andrew Mead administered the oath of office to Sen. Jackson and his Senate colleagues, all of whom have been elected to serve two-year terms.
“Serving in the Maine Legislature is about serving the people of this state. When you take away the State House with the marble floors and towering ceilings, and you take away the grand chambers, the purpose of the Legislature doesn’t change,” said President Jackson. “It’s truly an honor to have earned the trust, respect and confidence of my neighbors to represent them in Augusta, and it’s humbling to have been chosen once again by my colleagues to preside over the Senate during this difficult moment in our state’s history.”
As Senate President, Jackson has led the effort to rein in the cost of prescription drugs, passing some of the comprehensive prescription drug reform laws in the country. He also fought to increase access to health care coverage, introducing legislation to protect Mainers with preexisting conditions, sponsoring measures to enshrine the Affordable Care Act protections into state law, and supporting ways to expand telehealth coverage in a public health crisis.
“When things get tough, Maine people don’t walk away from a problem, they don’t retreat to their corners, and they certainly don’t give up. It’s not in our blood. When things get tough, Mainers roll up their sleeves and figure out how to get the job done,” said President Jackson. “The Maine Legislature can and should do the same. It’s time to put the hostility of the elections behind us and come together for the good of our state.”
Sen. Jackson is a fifth-generation logger from Allagash whose participation in the 1998 logging blockade along the Canadian border launched him into politics. He is a lifelong resident of the St. John River Valley and has proven to be a passionate advocate for workers’ rights, including fair wages, protection from unfair international competition and the freedom to join a union.
Sen. Jackson lives in Allagash with his partner, Lana Pelletier. They have two adult sons, Chace and Camden.
Of the 35 senators, there are 22 Democrats and 13 Republicans. The Legislature will reconvene at the start of the new year.
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