Former President Barack Obama endorsed Troy Jackson in Maine’s Senate race, wading into a key battleground in the fight for control of the chamber as Democrats seek to unseat five-term Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

In a new video released by Jackson’s campaign, Obama highlighted the Democrat’s working-class background and legislative record, portraying him as an advocate for Mainers struggling with high costs.

“Troy Jackson is running to be your next senator, and I’m proud to be on board,” Obama said.

Obama pointed to Jackson’s efforts in the Maine Legislature to increase wages, reduce prescription drug costs, expand access to school meals and protect abortion rights.

“In this economy, we need a fighter like Troy, a fifth-generation logger,” Obama said. “Troy worked 80 hours a week and still struggled to get by.”

The endorsement comes just hours before Jackson and Collins are set to meet for their second debate in three days, giving Jackson a high-profile boost as the candidates enter the final weeks of a race.

Jackson said he was “honored” to receive Obama’s support and pointed to economic frustration as a driving force in his campaign.

“Working people are sick and tired of a government that works for the wealthy and well-connected while they struggle to get by,” Jackson said. “They’re ready for change, and together, we’re going to bring that change to Washington.”

The former state Senate president is challenging Collins, who was first elected to the Senate in 1996, in a contest that has emerged as a major Senate battleground as Democrats look for opportunities to gain seats in November.

Collins and Jackson met Tuesday for the first of four scheduled debates, and clashed over President Donald Trump, abortion, immigration and the economy.

Obama’s endorsement also comes as national Democrats increasingly rally around Jackson after an unusual start to his general election campaign. Jackson became the Democratic nominee in July after Graham Platner, who won the party’s June primary, withdrew following a sexual assault allegation that he denied. Democratic delegates then selected Jackson at a special nominating convention.

Abortion has emerged as a central issue in the race — and Jackson’s position on the issue has shifted significantly over his political career.

Early in his career, Jackson opposed abortion rights and received perfect ratings from Maine Right to Life in 2003 and 2010. In 2013, he described himself as opposed to abortion and said it should be illegal except in cases of rape and incest. He also supported restrictions including a waiting period and legislation involving legal protections for fetuses.

But Jackson’s position changed in the last decade. By 2017, he was voting against fetal-personhood legislation, and he later received repeated 100% ratings from Planned Parenthood’s Maine chapter. As Maine Senate president, Jackson helped advance a 2023 law expanding access to abortion later in pregnancy when deemed medically necessary by a doctor.

Jackson has openly acknowledged the shift, saying conversations with women, doctors and advocates changed his understanding of the issue. 

“It just became clear to me that I was wrong and that reproductive rights is healthcare,” Jackson said at a Planned Parenthood event on Monday.

Obama highlighted Jackson’s current record in his endorsement, saying that after Roe v. Wade was overturned, Jackson “helped protect the right to an abortion in Maine.”

The issue has also become a major line of attack against Collins, who supports abortion rights but has faced scrutiny over her 2018 vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who later joined the high court majority in the 2022 decision overturning Roe. Jackson repeatedly pressed Collins over that vote during their first debate.

“I clearly don’t agree with how Brett Kavanaugh voted on Roe v. Wade. … I would point out that there’s only one of us on this stage who has always been pro-choice, and that’s me,” Collins said during Tuesday’s debate.

Obama ended his Jackson endorsement video with a direct appeal for Mainers to cast their ballots for Jackson during the state’s early voting period Oct. 5-19 or on Election Day.

“We need Troy to deliver for us in the Senate,” Obama said. “So do not sit this one out.” 

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