Maine logger Troy Jackson emerges as Democratic Senate nominee after Platner withdrawal

Former Maine Senate president and logger Troy Jackson is poised to become the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate after the party’s previous candidate, Graham Platner, ended his campaign amid sexual-assault allegations. The withdrawal triggered a rapid realignment within the state Democratic Party, with several candidates filing paperwork for a July 25 special convention of 601 delegates. Over the weekend, Jackson’s principal rivals – former congressional staffer Jordan Wood, former Maine CDC director Nirav Shah, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Maine Beer Company founder Dan Kleban – withdrew and endorsed Jackson, emphasizing the importance of flipping the seat held by Republican Senator Susan Collins.

The convention will include 500 delegates elected by the state’s 16 counties and 101 delegates appointed by the party’s central committee. Jackson, who finished third in the recent Democratic gubernatorial primary, has secured pledges from a majority of the delegates, according to his campaign. He said the support was earned through extensive grassroots organizing.

Jackson’s campaign said it will now focus on defeating Collins as Democrats seek to win the four Senate seats needed to regain control of the chamber. State Democrats have until July 27 to formally name Platner’s replacement on the ballot.