Maine Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson has built his campaign around his working-class roots as a fifth-generation logger. Now a viral ad is drawing mockery from both sides of the aisle, with critics calling it tone-deaf pandering.
In the clip, Jackson sips a boba tea while being asked who would be persuaded by $46 million in Republican TV ads. He glances around, smiles, and answers "the 1%ers" as photos of his opponent, Sen. Susan Collins, and Elon Musk flash on screen.
The caption reads "sips boba tea," paired with emojis. The post on X has racked up more than 2 million views.
Democrats Wince
Some of the loudest criticism came from Jackson's own side. Democratic strategist Steve Schale pointed out that Maine has the oldest median-age electorate in the country and said he simply didn't get the ad.
Liberal influencer Harry Sisson called the video "unhelpful and cringey" and pleaded with the campaign to drop the boba. Left-wing podcaster Kyle Kulinski blasted the approach in profanity-laced terms, urging Jackson to ditch the gimmicks and speak from the heart.
Troy Jackson needs to win but videos like this are unhelpful and cringey. Please change it up! No boba tea!
— Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) September 28, 2026
Republicans Pile On
GOP operatives had a field day. Republican communicator Matt Whitlock mocked the campaign for trying to project a rugged, masculine image while running social media like a Gen Z influencer.
Former Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh noted that Democrats had bragged about how masculine their Maine campaign would be. GOP communicator Steve Guest quipped that it looked like Jackson's first time ever trying boba.
Even journalist Chris Cillizza joined in, sarcastically noting that boba tea is just what regular people drink.
Boba tea!
Just like regular people! https://t.co/hrGTtHGIEv
— Chris Cillizza (@ChrisCillizza) September 28, 2026
Collins Edges Ahead
The ad comes as a new New York Times/Siena poll shows Collins leading Jackson 49% to 46% among likely voters, with 5% undecided. The lead is within the margin of error, but it's one of the first polls to show Collins ahead since Jackson entered the race.
Her edge stands out in a blue-leaning state. The same poll found 55% of respondents want Democrats to control the Senate next year, compared to 43% for Republicans.
Collins is seeking a sixth term in a race that could decide which party controls the Senate.
A Messy Road to the Nomination
Jackson wasn't Democrats' first choice. Graham Platner, a combat veteran and oyster farmer, won the June primary in a landslide but dropped out a month later after a report containing a rape allegation from a former girlfriend. Platner denied the claim.
Jackson, a former Maine Senate President who had previously run unsuccessfully for governor, won a special nominating convention to take Platner's place.
Collins Fights Back
Collins has also been pushing back against a ProPublica report that the FBI sought to open a pay-to-play investigation involving her and others. The probe was dropped, and no one on her staff was charged.
Collins called the report "offensive" and a partisan hit job driven by Democrats. Jackson, meanwhile, has accused her of being corrupt.