Senator Bernie Sanders is traveling to Maine to campaign alongside Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson, bringing national progressive firepower to a closely watched race.
The Vermont independent and two-time presidential candidate will join Jackson at three separate rallies scheduled across the state in the coming days.
Sanders will first appear with Jackson in Bangor, followed by two additional get-out-the-vote events in Lewiston and Biddeford the following Sunday.
This marks “the first time the progressive leader will stump for the candidate this cycle,” according to reporting on the upcoming appearances.
Jackson is running against Republican Senator Susan Collins, who is seeking a historic sixth term representing Maine in the United States Senate.
Democrats have placed the race under intense national scrutiny as the party works to flip the Senate seat and chip away at Republican strength in the chamber.
Jackson has narrowly led most polls since emerging as the Democratic nominee in July, though Collins has led in some surveys, continuing to demonstrate crossover appeal with Democratic and independent voters.
The contest remains tight and competitive, reflecting the broader national environment where control of the Senate could hinge on a handful of closely fought state races.
Sanders’ visit to Maine marks his first public appearance in the state since he rallied in July in Bar Harbor alongside Graham Platner, whose campaign collapsed after an ex-girlfriend accused him of rape.
Jackson was subsequently chosen to replace Platner as the Democratic nominee through a nominating convention held on July 25, giving the party a fresh standard-bearer for the fall campaign.
The three-rally swing by Sanders signals that progressive national figures view the Maine race as both winnable and strategically important heading into the final stretch of the election.
Collins has long been one of the most durable political figures in Maine, building a reputation for independence that has helped her survive previous Democratic challenges in the state.
Jackson’s campaign will be counting on Sanders’ well-established ability to energize grassroots donors and younger voters, particularly in cities like Lewiston and Bangor where turnout will be critical.
