Troy Jackson Nears Securing Maine Democratic Senate Nomination
Former state Senate president Troy Jackson appears poised to become the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate race in Maine after his preferred delegates won the majority of county slots.
Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson is close to clinching the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Susan Collins, after his slate of preferred delegates secured the bulk of the 500 county delegate positions that will vote at the party's nominating convention. County meetings on Sunday will complete the selection process for the remaining counties, with results expected that evening.
The Democratic Party is using elected county delegates to choose its nominee after former candidate Graham Platner withdrew amid sexual assault allegations. The convention, scheduled for July 25 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, will bring together 601 voting members, including the 500 delegates.
State Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced her withdrawal from the race on Sunday, urging Democrats to unite behind the eventual nominee. Former Maine CDC director Dr. Nirav Shah also exited the contest, endorsing Jackson and criticizing incumbent Collins. Dan Kleban and Jordan Wood similarly withdrew and offered their support to Jackson.
Our Revolution, a political organizing group, praised the delegate results, attributing them to organized recruitment and high turnout at county meetings.
While the Maine Democratic Party notes that delegates are not formally pledged and could change their support before the convention, the current delegate alignment would make Jackson the presumptive nominee.