Key facts
- Reproductive Freedom for All has endorsed Troy Jackson for the Maine US Senate seat.
- Jackson is challenging Republican incumbent Susan Collins.
- Collins's vote to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh is a key issue in the race.
- Jackson has publicly stated his support for abortion access as healthcare.
- Planned Parenthood's Super Pac is running ads against Collins's record.
One of the oldest abortion rights groups in the United States, Reproductive Freedom for All, has endorsed Troy Jackson, the Democratic nominee in Maine's critical US Senate race. The group's support for Jackson comes as he challenges five-term Republican incumbent Susan Collins, whose vote to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court in 2018 is a central issue in the campaign. Kavanaugh was part of the majority opinion that overturned Roe v Wade in 2022, leading to near-total abortion bans in over a dozen states.
Mini Timmaraju, president of Reproductive Freedom for All, stated that flipping the Senate majority is crucial for restoring federal abortion rights. She noted that Jackson's evolution on the issue, from past votes restricting abortion access to his current stance supporting it as healthcare, reflects a broader sentiment among many Americans. Jackson, a former logger, has expressed regret for his earlier views and now holds a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood, co-sponsoring legislation to expand abortion access.
Collins, who has positioned herself as a moderate Republican, has stated she does not regret her vote for Kavanaugh. Jackson's campaign has used this remark to link her to the Trump administration's anti-abortion agenda. Planned Parenthood's Super Pac has also announced significant spending on ads criticizing Collins's record.
Strategists acknowledge Collins's seniority and the federal funds she has secured for Maine as significant advantages. However, the overturning of Roe v Wade remains a potent issue for many voters. Jackson secured the Democratic nomination in July after Graham Platner, the initial nominee, withdrew from the race following allegations of sexual assault, which he denies. The group's decision to endorse Jackson was delayed due to this turmoil.