Former Maine legislator Troy Jackson emerges as frontrunner for Democratic Senate nomination
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Troy Jackson has become the leading candidate for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination in Maine after several rivals withdrew and endorsed him ahead of the July 25 nominating convention.
Troy Jackson, a former state legislator, has positioned himself as the leading Democratic contender for Maine's U.S. Senate seat after a wave of withdrawals by his opponents. The shift occurred as party committees across the state selected delegates for a nominating convention scheduled for July 25, which will choose the candidate to face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.
Jackson's campaign reported securing hundreds of pledged delegates, including all of the preferred delegates from Cumberland County, the state's most populous area. The momentum prompted Secretary of State Shenna Bellows to withdraw on Sunday, stating that Democrats could not afford “a day to waste in unifying” around defeating Collins. Former Maine CDC director Nirav Shah also dropped out and endorsed Jackson, followed by co-founder of Maine Beer Company Dan Kleban and Jordan Wood, both of whom offered their support.
With his principal rivals out of the race, Jackson appears difficult to challenge at the upcoming convention. The Democratic field has been in flux since Graham Platner, who won the primary, withdrew after allegations of misconduct surfaced, which he denied. Progressive group Our Revolution, originally backing Platner, has now thrown its support behind Jackson.
Jackson, 58, a former logger, served in the Maine legislature from 2002 until term limits forced his departure in 2024, including a stint as president of the state senate. He previously sought the Democratic nomination for governor earlier this year, receiving Platner’s endorsement, but was not successful.