Troy Jackson holds first Senate campaign town hall in Lewiston

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Troy Jackson held the first event of his ‘Solidarity Forever Tour’ at the Franco Center in Lewiston on Tuesday. The town hall, attended by approximately 275 to 300 people, is part of a strategy to replicate the grassroots momentum seen in the campaign of Graham Platner as Jackson seeks to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins.

During the event, Jackson addressed questions regarding his leadership and his relationship to the political movement previously led by Platner. He acknowledged that he did not build the movement himself, stating, “This isn’t about Troy Jackson,” but rather about citizens who believe the current political direction is fundamentally flawed.

Controversy arose when the news organization The Maine Wire was denied entry to the event. While other members of the media were admitted, representatives from The Maine Wire were informed by an event official that they would not be permitted to attend as press, despite having initially provided personal information via a QR code as requested at the entrance. No specific reason for the exclusion was provided by the campaign.