Progressive Champion Troy Jackson Surges Ahead for Maine Democratic Senate Nomination
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Troy Jackson, a working-class advocate and former legislator, has become the clear favorite for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination in Maine after a groundswell of support and unity from progressive allies, as establishment figures and grassroots activists rally to defeat entrenched Republican power.
Troy Jackson, a former state legislator and longtime champion of Maine’s working people, has emerged as the leading Democratic contender for Maine’s U.S. Senate seat following a wave of withdrawals by his opponents. This pivotal shift comes as Democratic party committees across the state, energized by a desire for real change, selected delegates for the July 25 nominating convention, where the candidate to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins—an emblem of corporate conservatism—will be chosen.
Jackson’s campaign has reported a groundswell of support, securing hundreds of pledged delegates, including all preferred delegates from Cumberland County, the state’s most populous and diverse area. This surge in momentum prompted Secretary of State Shenna Bellows to withdraw on Sunday, emphasizing that Democrats could not afford “a day to waste in unifying” around the urgent task of defeating Collins and her regressive agenda. Former Maine CDC director Nirav Shah also stepped aside and endorsed Jackson, followed by Dan Kleban, co-founder of Maine Beer Company, and Jordan Wood, both of whom offered their support in the fight for justice and equality.
With his principal rivals now united behind him, Jackson stands as the clear people’s candidate at the upcoming convention. The Democratic field has been in flux since Graham Platner, a progressive who won the primary, withdrew after facing questionable allegations of misconduct, which he denied. The progressive organization Our Revolution, which had originally backed Platner, has now thrown its weight behind Jackson, signaling a new era of grassroots power.
Jackson, 58, a former logger and steadfast advocate for labor and the environment, served in the Maine legislature from 2002 until term limits forced his departure in 2024, including a transformative stint as president of the state senate. Earlier this year, he sought the Democratic nomination for governor, receiving Platner’s endorsement, but was not successful. Now, with the progressive movement coalescing, Jackson is poised to take the fight to the Senate and challenge the status quo.