Maine Democrats have selected former state Senate President Troy Jackson as their replacement candidate for the U.S. Senate race following the withdrawal of Graham Platner’s campaign this summer. Jackson, who lost the Democratic gubernatorial primary earlier this year, has faced criticism over remarks he made regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and accusations of antisemitism.
Shortly after Platner exited the Senate race, Jackson characterized Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide,” sparking controversy. In an interview with a Portland NBC affiliate, Jackson stated, “Anybody with eyes and a heart knows the Israeli government is committing genocide in Gaza,” adding that the term was avoided by some in Maine due to its association with the Holocaust. He expressed concern over the deaths of innocent people in Gaza but appeared reluctant to equally condemn Hamas, conceding only that “you could argue the same thing for Hamas, too.”
Jackson’s comments have drawn sharp criticism from opponents who view them as antisemitic and detrimental to American Jews, including those in Maine. Critics argue that his focus on Israel’s role in the conflict overlooks Hamas’s responsibility for initiating the current violence, which began on October 7, 2023. Some commentators have framed his remarks as part of a broader pattern within segments of the Democratic Party critical of Israel.
Supporters of Jackson and some progressive voices frame discussions of Israel’s policies more critically and warn against conflating legitimate criticism with antisemitism. This debate is occurring amid wider tensions within the Democratic Party about how to address Middle East issues and antisemitism.
Meanwhile, reaction has extended beyond the state’s Senate race. A recent proposal by Maine’s Mayor Mamdani to introduce a “Strategy to Combat Antisemitism” drew mixed responses. Some activists criticized the timing and framing of the strategy, arguing it glossed over political and human rights concerns related to Israel and Palestine. These critics maintained that opposing Israeli policies, particularly in the West Bank, should not be labeled antisemitic, and viewed the strategy as insufficient to address deeper grievances.
Maine’s Senate contest continues to reflect broader national debates within the Democratic Party about Israel, antisemitism, and Middle East policy—a contentious issue shaping candidate positioning ahead of the November election.