Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson admits billionaire donations after debate with Susan Collins
Maine Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson disclosed that his campaign received the maximum allowed $3,500 contributions from at least four billionaire donors during a Thursday evening debate with Republican incumbent Susan Collins.
The admission came after Jackson had previously asserted, "I know that there's no billionaires funding me." During the debate, Collins challenged the claim, noting the candidate’s earlier promise to reject billionaire money and asking for clarification.
"When you were replacing Graham Platner, you promised to be totally transparent in your donors and donations," Collins said. "You said that you would take no money from billionaires. That's not accurate."
Jackson responded that the statement was accurate regarding the donors in question, saying, "As far as the billionaires that I might have on my campaign, that is accurate," prompting audible laughter from the audience.
The finance report, filed with the Federal Election Commission after the deadline for third‑quarter numbers, listed contributions from five individuals each at the $3,500 limit: Bain Capital co‑chair Joshua Bekenstein, Getty Oil heiress Anne Earhart, hedge‑fund founder Nathaniel "Nat" Simons, his sister Liz Simons, and Bekenstein’s wife Anita Bekenstein.
Jackson’s campaign website continues to emphasize a working‑class stance, proclaiming that he is not backed by corporate PACs or billionaire donors. The new disclosures contrast sharply with that messaging and with recent criticisms that his son’s lobbying work overlapped with legislation Jackson supported, such as a 2022 bill easing interest‑rate caps for online lenders.
"I would point out that we have no idea who is financing Troy's campaign. He promised to be completely transparent, yet he has not filed a single report," Collins said during a prior debate.
Jackson had promised to deliver his financial report to Collins the following morning but later clarified that he had not made a firm commitment, citing the campaign’s large base of over 200,000 donors and ongoing workload.
The revelations arrive as both candidates vie for support ahead of the November election, with Jackson positioning himself as a challenger to corporate influence while now acknowledging billionaire backing. Collins, a seasoned incumbent, highlighted the inconsistency as a point of accountability.
Jackson has not indicated whether any of the disclosed donors will influence his policy positions, and no further financial disclosures have been announced as the campaign moves toward the final stretch of the race.
