Charles Schumer

Troy Jackson, who is expected to become the Democratic nominee for Senate in Maine, said he would not support Senator Chuck Schumer of New York to continue as the party’s leader in the chamber. Mr. Jackson also said that he was not sure he would want Mr. Schumer’s help in the general election.

Mr. Jackson made his most definitive rejection of Mr. Schumer to date in an interview on Monday with The New York Times.

“The Democratic Party needs to have a different approach — getting people back in the party, getting working-class, everyday people back in the party — and I don’t believe it’s going to happen with Senator Schumer,” he said.

Mr. Jackson, a progressive, was never likely to express strong support for Mr. Schumer, who has grown deeply unpopular with the Democratic base. But his comments are notable because he has little time or money to build a campaign after Graham Platner’s unexpected exit following a rape allegation.

The Republican incumbent, Senator Susan Collins, is backed by an array of well-funded conservative groups. Any Democratic path to victory in Maine, widely seen as a key state for Senate control, is likely to require powerful party committees and super PACs aligned with Mr. Schumer to throw their weight behind Mr. Jackson.

Still, Mr. Jackson appeared wary of support from Mr. Schumer and national Democrats.

“I’d have to find out what that entailed,” Mr. Jackson said. “I mean, if his help comes, absolutely no strings, I would say, you know, possibly. There’d have to be no strings.”

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