Academic Affairs

President of the Maine State Senate

On December 2, 2020, Senator Troy D. Jackson was unanimously re-elected by his colleagues to serve as President of the Maine Senate. He is the sixth Senate President from Aroostook County in the history of the state, and the first person from Aroostook County to serve in this role for two consecutive terms. He represents the good people of northern Aroostook County in Senate District 1.

President Jackson is a fifth-generation logger from Allagash whose participation in the 1998 border blockade over unfair wages, working conditions, and labor practices launched him into a life of advocacy for working-class people. In the Legislature, President Jackson has emerged as a fierce advocate for health care, spearheading legislation to protect Mainers with preexisting conditions, rein in the cost of prescription drug prices, fund rural hospital and ambulance services, and hold “Big Pharma” accountable. Throughout his tenure, he has also fought to deliver property tax relief, led the charge to protect workers’ rights, invested in good-paying jobs, and increased access to workforce training programs.

In his inaugural address, he urged his colleagues to put Maine people at the heart of their agenda, saying, “Maine people have placed an extraordinary amount of faith and trust in members of the 130th Legislature. They deserve a government that works for them and puts them first. At a time when so many people are struggling and have lost faith in government, we have the opportunity to show them what government can and should be. We have the opportunity to show them that the Maine Legislature isn’t made up of empty politicians. Instead, we’re loggers and farmers, doctors and nurses, teachers and coaches, fisherman and electricians, advocates and small business owners.” 

President Jackson serves on the board of Fish River Rural Health, a federally qualified health center, and the Aroostook County Community Action Program. He is also a proud member of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades and the International Association of Machinists.

President Jackson attended Allagash Consolidated Community High School and is a graduate of the University of Maine at Fort Kent. He lives in Allagash with his partner, Lana. They have two adult sons, Chace and Camden.