Former advisers to Barack Obama are publicly pleading with Maine Democrats to set aside their internal feuding and unite behind Senate candidate Troy Jackson, who is running against Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins.
On the “Pod Save America” podcast, former Obama strategist Dan Pfeiffer said a “significant number” of people in Maine, including Democrats, “seem not to like Troy Jackson.” He laid out the source of the rift: lingering anger from supporters of Graham Platner, the original Democratic nominee who was dropped from the race after sexual assault allegations surfaced against him, plus friction between Jackson and Gov. Janet Mills, who ran against him in the primary.
“Mills had not endorsed Jackson and Jackson had not asked for the endorsement” as of two weeks ago, Pfeiffer said, before delivering a blunt message to the party. “Everyone get over your s—, and let’s try to win this race.”
“I think there is some sense or fear, maybe, that some of the people who are not enthusiastic about Jackson for some reason because of how this process played out may sit out,” Pfeiffer said, describing why he believes Obama recently cut an endorsement video urging Maine voters not to stay home on Election Day.
Former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau agreed the party’s disunity is the top threat to the campaign, calling it “my biggest worry.” He pointed to Michigan as a model, where Democrats worked through a bitter primary and have since rallied, citing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appearing alongside Abdul El-Sayed and praising comments from Haley Stevens.
“I feel like the Democrats there just have to be reminded that, like, this is our guy, and this is our ticket to a Democratic Senate and not a Republican Senate,” Favreau said, adding that even a New York Times poll showing Collins ahead found most respondents wanted a Democratic-controlled Senate.
Jackson replaced a candidate dropped over assault claims
Jackson stepped in after Democrats removed Platner from the race following the sexual assault allegations against him. Jackson has faced his own controversies since taking over the nomination.
Democratic strategist Julian Epstein offered a sharper take on the party’s candidate troubles, telling Fox News Digital: “Socialist revolutionaries all seem to be a little bit weird for one reason or another. Going MIA here, a Nazi tattoo there, refusing to denounce terrorists.” He argued the party’s consultant class tolerates these problems because “it’s less about principle and more about power.”
Jesse Arm, vice president of external affairs at the Manhattan Institute, said the podcast hosts are simply struggling with Collins’ continued strength in the state. “Susan Collins is overperforming because Maine voters know she’s a sensible moderate who calls balls and strikes,” Arm said. “Collins has been an independent maverick throughout her career, and Maine voters appreciate that about her.”
