Maine Democrats Nominate Troy Jackson for Senate Seat

Maine Democrats are poised to formally select former state Senate President Troy Jackson as their new U.S. Senate nominee this weekend, setting up a three-month sprint against Republican incumbent Susan Collins. The party’s state nominating convention in Bangor on Saturday, July 25, 2026, will finalize the replacement for former nominee Graham Platner, who suspended his campaign earlier this month following allegations of sexual assault, which he denied.

Jackson, a fifth-generation logger from Allagash who finished third in the Democratic gubernatorial primary last month, secured his presumptive status after a decisive delegate selection process last weekend. County meetings selected 500 delegates to join 101 state committee members at the convention, and an overwhelming majority of those chosen were aligned with Jackson’s campaign slate. This prompted his major opponents to withdraw, effectively clearing the field.

The rapid consolidation around Jackson ends a tumultuous period for Maine Democrats, who were forced to scramble for a new candidate just weeks before the general election. National Democratic leaders have expressed renewed optimism about the race, arguing the change...