BRUNSWICK — Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly appealed to veterans Wednesday, encouraging them to use their voices and influence to speak out for Democrat Troy Jackson, candidate for Senate.

In remarks to fellow veterans at Flight Deck Brewing, Kelly painted a picture of the rich investing in crypto currency and a new ballroom at the White House.

“The country that we all risked our lives for is supposed to work for all of us,” he said.

The Navy veteran and astronaut visited Maine this week as part of a final push by Jackson, who is facing Republican Sen. Susan Collins on Tuesday’s ballot. 

His visit follows other high-profile Democrats Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Bernie Sanders and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who have all come to Maine to try to swing the election Jackson’s way.

Last week, Collins campaigned with former Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin in a bid to reach moderate voters who have supported her in the past.

For veterans who came to the Jackson event, the visit represented a chance to hear directly from Jackson, a former Maine Senate president and logger from Allagash.

“As a veteran, you’re kind of sitting out there wondering where our country is headed,” said Mac Gray, a veteran from Brunswick. “This is the first period where we’ve worried about what’s happening to the U.S.” 

Fellow veteran Dan Loudermilk of Auburn said he supports Jackson because he stood by mill workers in Baileyville when they went on strike.

“Troy is a man of the working man,” Loudermilk said. “He has definitely supported labor. He's one of the only politicians who supported us in the Baileyville strike. I’m here to support Troy like he was there to support us.”

The Jackson/Collins matchup is one of a handful across the country that is being closely watched as Republicans look to keep control of the chamber and Democrat work to flip it.

Kelly, one of several Democrats considering a run for president, said he’s still mulling his options and will consult with his family before deciding whether to run in 2028. 

“Am I the right person at the right time?” he said to reporters. “I’ve got a different background than most of the people in Congresss. I didn’t serve in government my entire life.”

Jackson told reporters he’s optimistic heading into Election Day.

“Right now, all those people who probably felt like they’ve been left behind and all that, right now I think they believe it is their time and they can change it and they are showing up,” he said. “I think we’re going to see something pretty crazy on Election Day.”