Outside groups accuse Democratic challenger Troy Jackson of supporting higher taxes on Social Security, gasoline and groceries, but a review of his proposals and legislative record reveals important omissions as he challenges Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
In the Maine Senate race, ads from pro-Republican groups give Democratic candidate Troy Jackson the nickname “Taxin’ Jackson,” but they make misleading claims about his proposal for Social Security taxes and his votes on some other issues.
The ads say that Jackson “wants to raise Social Security taxes,” with one adding, “hurting our seniors.” But Jackson’s proposal would affect high-income earners who are still working. He wants to remove the cap on the maximum amount of income subject to Social Security payroll taxes.
The ads also claim that Jackson voted in the state Legislature to increase Mainers’ taxes on such items as gasoline and groceries, but cite votes in favor of taxes or fees that did not directly pertain to those items.
One of the ads, from Defending Main Street PAC, says “it’s tough to make a living when you pay so much in taxes” and blames Jackson before making several claims about alleged tax increases that he backed.
