Senate Democrats have chosen former majority leader Troy Jackson of Allagash as their minority leader and Lewiston Sen. Nate Libby as the assistant leader for the new Legislature.
Jackson often clashed with Republican Gov. Paul LePage when he served as majority leader, but he hopes that can be put behind both of them in the new Legislature.
“It’s just too important for pettiness. You know your own ego and stuff like that. And I think we have got to hopefully put that aside and I hope the governor is,” he says.
Both Jackson and Libby say Democrats are willing to work with Republicans, but won’t support efforts to undo any of the referendums just passed by the voters. For example, some Republicans have argued parts of the minimum wage measure passed by voters, affecting workers that get part of their pay in tips, should be changed.
“Attempts to rewrite the will of the voters through the legislature I don’t think will be met with support from all sides of the two chambers,” Libby says.
