Maine Democrats Set to Nominate Troy Jackson for Senate Race

Maine voters face a compressed Senate contest that could help decide control of the chamber. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take the majority this fall, and the race against five-term Republican incumbent Susan Collins ranks among their stronger opportunities in a state Kamala Harris carried in 2024.

The party’s original nominee, Graham Platner, withdrew earlier this month after a woman he previously dated accused him of rape in 2021. Platner denied the allegation. State election law required any replacement to be chosen by July 27, forcing an abbreviated process that ends with a nominating convention in Bangor on July 25.

Former state Senate President Troy Jackson enters the convention as the clear front-runner. County meetings last weekend produced delegate slates that gave him the support of the vast majority of the roughly 600 delegates who will vote. All of his major rivals, including Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and former state CDC director Nirav Shah, have withdrawn and urged unity against Collins. Two lesser-known candidates remain on the ballot.

Jackson, 58, a fifth-generation logger from Allagash, served as Senate president from 2018 to 2024 and previously represented the state’s northernmost House district. He switched from Republican to Democratic affiliation more than two decades ago. His platform emphasizes raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy, Medicare for All, ending U.S. military aid to Israel, and abolishing ICE. He also supports federal legislation protecting abortion rights and LGBTQ civil rights, positions that differ from earlier stances he took in state office.

Collins holds $11 million in cash on hand as of the most recent Federal Election Commission filings. Jackson’s campaign reported raising more than $1 million since he entered the race on July 8. A University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll conducted in recent days showed Jackson ahead of Collins by three points among likely voters, within the margin of error.

The Collins campaign has described Jackson as a lower-energy version of Platner and noted his third-place finish in the June Democratic primary for governor. Republicans have criticized the convention process as excluding voters. Jackson’s supporters point to his rural roots and labor backing as assets in northern Maine counties where Collins has historically performed well.