Maine Democrats pick new Senate president to succeed Troy Jackson

The Maine Senate will have a new leader after Democratic members on Thursday nominated a longtime Brunswick lawmaker to serve as the next president of the upper chamber.
Assistant Senate Majority Leader Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, will succeed term-limited Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, after Democratic senators held a leadership vote Thursday evening. She beat Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth, for the top role.
Daughtry, who co-owns Moderation Brewing Company in Brunswick, first won election to the House in 2012 at age 25 and then won election to the Senate in 2020. She became the assistant leader two years later and has sponsored several progressive proposals, such as a paid family and medical leave program.
Both parties are holding leadership votes in the coming days following Tuesday’s election that saw Democrats keep their majorities in a Legislature they have controlled since 2018. But Republicans netted two seats in the Senate to bring the Democratic majority to 20-15 and narrowed the House majority, with recounts expected in several tight races.
Daughtry and Carney each cruised to reelection Tuesday over Republican challengers in districts that respectively cover the midcoast and southern Maine. Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart, R-Presque Isle, is likely to continue in his role, while Republicans will elect a new no. 2 to replace Assistant Senate Minority Leader Lisa Keim of Dixfield, who was termed out.
Jackson, a logger from Aroostook County, has been Senate president since 2018. He first ran for the House as a Republican in 2000 before winning election as an independent in 2002 and then joining the Democratic Party in 2004. He rose to the Senate in 2008. Though he is termed out, Jackson’s name is often mentioned among candidates for statewide office ahead of 2026.
Sen. Teresa Pierce, D-Falmouth, will serve with Daughtry as the new majority leader, while Sen. Jill Duson, D-Portland, will be the assistant majority leader. The three will be formally elected by the full Senate in December.
The House will also see new leadership due to term limits for Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, who won election Tuesday to the Senate. Several Democrats said earlier this year they are in the running, while House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor, is seeking to maintain the top spot also sought by Assistant House Minority Amy Arata, R-New Gloucester, and Rep. Mike Soboleski, R-Phillips.