Dem Senate Nominee’s Genocide Remark Backfires With Jewish Voters

Liberty Check

• Jackson’s comments expose the radical anti-Israel stance embraced by far-left Democrats backed by the DSA.
• The nominee’s apology reveals the tension between progressive ideology and basic respect for Jewish Americans.
• Conservatives continue to stand firmly against the erosion of traditional foreign policy alliances that protect American interests.

The Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine issued an apology after his comments about Jewish voters sparked widespread outrage. Troy Jackson had claimed that Jewish residents of Maine were avoiding the term “genocide” to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza because of their connection to the Holocaust.

In a statement to Jewish Insider, Jackson attempted to walk back his remarks. He said he apologized “for the pain that caused.”

“I believe what’s happening in Gaza is genocide, and I also understand that word carries particular weight for many Jewish families given the Holocaust — the genocide of six million Jews. In trying to acknowledge that, I misspoke and made a generalization about Jewish Mainers’ views that doesn’t reflect what I mean to say,” Jackson said in a statement.

Jackson’s remarks triggered immediate backlash on social media. Conservative voices were quick to condemn the comments.

“This statement cannot be real. It must be a dark dark dark parody,” Dan Senor, the co-author of “The Genius of Israel,” wrote on X.

“Completely out of the closet,” Fox News host Mark Levin wrote on X.

“Dude could get a matching tattoo,” Fox News political analyst Guy Benson wrote on X, referring to Graham Platner’s Nazi tattoo.

“Jackson should not be within 10’points of [Sen. Susan Collins] when the totals post, just as Collins blew out the polls six years ago. Jackson is dull and ill-informed —cliche volcano, mostly spewing out of DSA-rewrites,” Fox News contributor and conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt wrote on X.

“Well, that’s a sh—y thing to say,” former GOP congressman and anti-Trump personality Joe Walsh wrote on X.

“Bro what,” GOP consultant Matt Whitlock wrote on X.

Jackson’s campaign is struggling to contain the damage as he attempts to unseat incumbent Sen. Susan Collins in a tight race. His comments highlight the growing influence of progressive activists who prioritize anti-Israel positions over traditional American alliances.

Jackson, a former gubernatorial candidate endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, replaced another controversial candidate who abandoned his campaign. Since securing the nomination, Jackson has pushed the same radical agenda including Medicare for all, higher taxes, and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

He has also maintained his predecessor’s position on Israel. Like other DSA-aligned progressives, Jackson has called for ending U.S. aid to Israel and labeled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal.

During an interview earlier this week, Jackson doubled down on his views before making his controversial comments about Jewish Mainers. He was asked about the greatest foreign policy challenge facing the United States.

Jackson began by criticizing the U.S.-Israel relationship and expressed reluctance to support Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. He then made his now-infamous remarks about Jewish voters.

“It’s unfortunate that there are people here in Maine that don’t like to use that term only because they’re Jewish and what that means to them with the Holocaust. It fits that description. It is. It’s an unbelievable thing that’s happened there that people that are innocent are being murdered and it is a genocide,” Jackson said.

Jackson’s campaign has not responded to questions about whether other Democrats pressured him to apologize. The controversy underscores the challenge facing Democrats who must balance their progressive base with mainstream voters in competitive races.

Jackson will face Sen. Susan Collins in the November general election.

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