Sen. Bernie Sanders rallies for Graham Platner and Troy Jackson ahead of June election
By Bonnie Bishop
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PORTLAND, Maine (WMTW) — Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders spent his Memorial Day weekend campaigning for two democratic candidates in Maine’s upcoming election for U.S. Senate and governor, including an event in Portland Monday night.
The Independent senator is pushing for Oyster farmer Graham Platner to be Maine’s next senator and Former Senate President Troy Jackson to be Maine’s next governor. Sanders reinforced his focus on supporting the working class and taxing billionaires.
“What Graham understands, and Troy understands, we are not going to let a handful of billionaires control the future of this country,” Sanders said.
The event is a part of Sanders’ Fighting Oligarchy Tour, where the senator travels the country to talk about taking on what he calls “the Oligarchs and corporate interests who have so much power and influence in this country.”
“We’re going to take on the drug companies, and we’re going to do, with Graham in the Senate, what every other major country on earth does, guarantee health care for people through a Medicare for all single payer program,” Sanders said.
Platner is up against Democrat David Costello this June. If he secures the nomination, he’ll face Sen. Susan Collins in the fall.
“We will win the primary, and we will win the general, and we will show this whole country the way forward,” Platner said.
At the Monday night event, Platner called for a political revolution
“This is the fight of our lives,” Platner said.
Jackson, pointing to his past experiences in the state legislature, said he will continue to fight for Maine residents.
“I’ve watched power, influence hold back the people, the communities that I’ve cared about my entire life,” Jackson said.
Jackson faces four other candidates looking to secure the Democratic nomination for governor.
“We’re going to have a government that works for us and not just for them,” Jackson said. “Because the billionaires are going to be fine, they’ve always been fine, and they always will be fine. That’s not who I’m worried about. I’m fighting for us because you’re my only special interest.”
Hundreds gathered at Thompson’s Point in Portland to see the two candidates and the Vermont senator.
“I think he’s one of the most level-headed people in Congress, and I think it holds a lot of weight,” Saco resident Jamie Merrill said.
Monday marks the second day of rallying. Sanders was up in Orono on Sunday, too.
Jackson and Platner secured endorsements from Sanders late last summer.
Election day is on June 9.
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