Maine Democratic Party selects Troy Jackson as Senate nominee at delegate convention
Troy Jackson secured the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in Maine after a party convention of 601 delegates chose him, bypassing a statewide primary following the withdrawal of the original candidate.
The Maine Democratic Party held a convention on Saturday in which 601 delegates voted to select a new nominee for the U.S. Senate after sexual assault allegations forced the removal of the original candidate, Graham Platner. Troy Jackson received 566 votes, representing about 94% of the delegate support, and will face incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins in the November election.
The party’s website said the process was designed to be "fair" and "inclusive of varying viewpoints and diverse backgrounds of Democrats across the state of Maine." Republican National Committee spokesperson Kristen Cianci criticized the selection, saying Jackson had abandoned the principle that voters should decide elections.
Jackson, a state senator who has previously advocated for universal health care, the abolition of ICE, and a shift in U.S. military aid to Israel, has not commented on whether the convention bypassed the usual primary. He previously supported legislation to award Maine’s electoral votes to the national popular-vote winner and has said he will work to earn the trust of all Democratic voters.
The convention followed a rapid effort by the state party to replace Platner, allowing candidates to submit intent to run and collect signatures before the delegate vote. Jackson’s nomination comes with an endorsement from former Vice President Kamala Harris.