Phoebe Williamson is a member of the Class of 2026 at Freeport High School.

As the June 9 primary nears the horizon and after Janet Mills announced her departure from the Maine Senate race, attention turns toward Maine’s gubernatorial race. There are five Democrats vying for the nomination, and there is something unique about this year’s primary: they are all very strong options.

All of the candidates have been long-term Mainers, have worked in the Maine government and are experienced lawmakers. They also all have respect for each other, a refreshing political camaraderie in the time of ‘X’ wars and debate disasters. 

I’m a high school senior and turned 18 this April. June 9 will be the first time I ever cast a vote. I appreciate the strong choices we have this year for governor, but to me, there is one candidate who is clearly the best fit for the job. Troy Jackson will be getting my first-ranked vote this year and here’s why.

As the daughter of a union president, a lifelong Mainer, a public school student and a young person wondering how to pay for college, I share a lot of the struggles that many Mainers are facing. I’ve watched my father’s face as he does our taxes every April. I’ve walked through the streets in Portland and witnessed the unsolved crisis of addiction, poverty and homelessness.

I’ve been in school board meetings where community members struggle over cutting positions and programs or giving our neighbors a triple-digit tax increase. These numbers aren’t dollars that Mainers have to lose. Sometimes, an extra few percent marks eat into what little extra money they have each month.

Maine is in an affordability crisis. The cost of living is going up, grocery prices increase monthly and taxes are rising, but wages and social programs seem to stay stagnant. I wonder if I will ever be able to own a house and raise a family here and if I need to start saving now to afford an apartment when I finish school. 

Troy has a clear understanding of this. He isn’t a millionaire or from a deeply entrenched political family; he knows what it’s like to struggle, the way Mainers have been for generations. He knows what it’s like to work long hours, struggle to make ends meet and feel frustration when looking toward Augusta. But he also knows how to change that.

Troy’s tenure in the state Senate means he not only knows what needs to be fixed in our state, but how to get it done. Troy proposes to flip our tax system, with a 4% surtax on income over $1 million, and an interstate compact to pursue taxation of ultra-high net worth households, including a minimum 5% annual tax on assets above $1 billion.

He wants to reevaluate the meals and lodging taxes and taxes on vacant homes (Maine is the state with the most vacant homes at 21% vacancy). This revenue will allow Maine to cut property and income taxes for working families like mine. But taxes are not the only stress on Maine families right now. 

Troy also proposes to promote negotiations for public sector employees, eliminate non-competes and protect the industries that fuel our economy and feed our families. He will bolster public programs, not just for those struggling the most, because really, we’re all struggling right now.

His universal childcare program, housing affordability department and dedication to lowering the cost of prescription drugs and increasing funding for family planning services are all policies that will benefit all Mainers. 

Speaking of all Mainers, Troy is the only person on the stage of Democratic candidates who I feel comfortable electing to represent all of us. We are a state of diverse opinions. We split our electoral votes, have ranked-choice for our ballots and constantly find common ground and community. Maine has too long been a place of polarization and partisanship, and it’s time to start working together again.

Even with our current presidential administration, I believe in bipartisanship, common ground and working together. Troy has been willing to work with others and it shows. Deeply red District 2 continued to vote for him time and time again.

Troy will not work for us as Democrats or Republicans, liberals or conservatives, but as Mainers. He will work for all of us: loggers, teachers, lobstermen, nurses, children, mothers, small businesses, rural hospitals, tourist towns, moose in the county, seals in the bay. Troy has proven to us for years now that he is ready to fight for Mainers and their ability to thrive. Now it’s time to elect him to the Blaine House and give Maine back to the working class.