Troy Jackson, a logger and longtime Maine legislator who previously served as state senate president, has emerged as the presumptive Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Susan Collins. His ascent follows the abrupt campaign withdrawal of Graham Platner, the party’s original nominee, who ended his bid earlier this month following allegations of sexual assault from a former partner.
The sudden vacancy triggered a competitive process within Maine’s Democratic Party. Multiple candidates submitted paperwork for consideration at a special convention scheduled for 25 July, where 601 delegates will select the replacement nominee. However, Jackson’s major challengers sequentially withdrew over the weekend, significantly smoothing his path to the nomination. Among those ending their campaigns were Jordan Wood, a former congressional staffer; Nirav Shah, former Maine CDC director; Shenna Bellows, the current secretary of state; and Dan Kleban, founder of Maine Beer Company. All four endorsed Jackson, citing the importance of challenging Collins, who has held the seat for nearly three decades and is the only Republican senator seeking re-election in a state that supported Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in the previous election cycle.
Jackson, 58, first entered the legislature in 2002 and became senate president in 2018 before leaving office in 2024 due to term limits. His gubernatorial campaign earlier this year concluded in third place. Despite some concerns about whether his public speaking abilities could match Platner’s political presence, Jackson has secured endorsements from major unions, state Democratic leaders, and national progressive organizations. According to his campaign, a majority of the delegates have pledged their support, though such commitments remain non-binding.
Maine is viewed as strategically significant in the Democratic effort to gain the four Senate seats necessary for majority control following the general election. Democratic officials must formally select Platner’s replacement by 27 July for inclusion on the general election ballot.