WASHINGTON — Maine Democrats seeking a US Senate candidate have gone from an accused rapist to a pol known for vicious anger flare-ups, including when he hurled a water bottle in a fit of rage over a female pol at a meeting.
Troy Jackson — a former lumberjack poised to clinch the Democratic nod to replace disgraced alleged sex attacker and oyster farmer Graham Platner — furiously lobbed the bottle during a temper tantrum while meeting with Democrats after a then-fellow state lawmaker refused to change her vote.
“He was an inch from her nose, screaming and hollering and haranguing her,” a former colleague recounted to the Washington Post, noting that there wasn’t physical contact.
At the time, Jackson was serving as president of Maine’s state Senate, and the targeted female lawmaker was terrified that he was attempting to hit her with the water bottle, something his campaign firmly denies.
“Troy Jackson is passionate and deeply invested in the people and policies he advocates for,” Jackson’s nascent campaign said in a statement to CNN, acknowledging that there was “a water-bottle incident.”
“Over 22 years in public office, there have been moments when he let his frustration get the better of him. When that happened, he took responsibility and apologized directly at the time.”
Jackson’s campaign claimed that witnesses said, “The bottle was thrown away from everyone and struck no one.”
Rumors about the incident quickly swirled after Jackson was dangled as a replacement for Platner, whose campaign tanked amid rape and other deeply disturbing accusations from women. Platner has firmly denied those allegations.
Many Democrats and outside observers are concerned that the party’s next standard-bearer in the race may have damaging skeletons in their closet a la Platner.
In addition to the water-bottle incident, Jackson is accused of screaming at a female state speaker of the House and cursing her out so aggressively that she had to kick him out of her office, the Washington Post reported.
Another lawmaker who dealt with Jackson’s fury reportedly posted on social media that men were “too emotional” to serve in public office.
Jackson led Democrats in Maine’s Senate from 2018 through 2024.
Some lawmakers who worked with him recounted a reign of terror of sorts, where Jackson’s hair-trigger temper could get set off at any moment if they were against him on key legislation.
Others suggested he was a bully.
“It was very aggressive,” a person told the Washington Post of Jackson’s style.
“It’s one thing to be screaming when you’re just mad about the world or sad about the world. But his screaming felt like intentional intimidation. So you would feel like then, what else is he going to do?”
Thank you, Maine.
Our campaign has always been powered by ordinary Mainers—not corporate PACs or wealthy special interests, but neighbors organizing neighbors because they believe we deserve better.
In November, we are going to defeat Susan Collins and reclaim our Senate seat. pic.twitter.com/AfKovR89X3
— Troy Jackson (@TroyJackson207) July 20, 2026
At times, Jackson reportedly apologized for his gruff behavior.
Jackson is now poised to clinch the Democratic nomination for Maine’s US Senate seat, notching more than 481 of 500 delegates during the impromptu caucuses to replace Platner, according to his campaign.
Most of his rivals have since dropped out because of his overwhelming lead. Democrats have until Monday at 5 p.m. ET to make their replacement official.
“Thank you, Maine,” Jackson said in a social-media post bragging about his lead. “In November, we are going to defeat [GOP incumbent] Susan Collins and reclaim our Senate seat.”
Jackson had been endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt) in the Maine governor’s race but finished in third place. He first sought office as a Republican, before switching over to the Democrats in 2004 and once had staunch socially conservative views on abortion, gay marriage, and immigration.
