Troy Jackson Secures Democratic Nomination for U.S. Senate in Maine

In Bangor, Maine, former state lawmaker and logger Troy Jackson obtained the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in Maine on Saturday. He will challenge GOP Senator Susan Collins in November, a race that could influence Senate control.

Jackson takes over from Graham Platner, who won the Democratic primary in June but withdrew following a sexual assault allegation, which he denies. Maine Democrats convened on Saturday to select a new nominee to oppose Collins.

Jackson, once a president of the Maine Senate and a fifth-generation logger from northern Maine, was a popular choice among progressives. He campaigned alongside Platner during a prior governor bid. “When those in power don’t listen, you must organize, stand together, and make them listen,” Jackson stated in his convention speech.

The Democratic Party viewed Maine as a prime opportunity to flip a Senate seat, as it is a competitive race in a state President Trump lost in 2024. However, defeating Collins remains challenging, given her strong fundraising position and the limited time Jackson has before the election.

Maine law empowered the state party to choose a replacement, mandating a nominee be named by Monday, 99 days before the election on November 3. The selection process involved hundreds of delegates gathering in Bangor, 130 miles north of Portland. Delegates were elected at recent county party meetings.

Jackson’s victory was anticipated, as his campaign asserted that over 480 delegates pledged support. Ultimately, 566 out of 571 delegates voted for him. Jackson initially ran as a Republican in 2000, lost, but won in 2002 as an Independent, and later joined the Democratic Party in 2004, becoming Senate president.

Despite finishing third in the governor’s Democratic primary this year, he had endorsements from Platner, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, and Our Revolution. Following Platner’s exit on July 10, many former governor candidates joined the race, but Jackson quickly emerged as the top contender.

Progressives who supported Platner rallied behind Jackson, backed by groups like Our Revolution. Other top candidates withdrew, leaving Jackson as the favored choice. Only women’s health CEO Saundra Pelletier remained, but faced notable odds against Jackson’s well-known presence.

Jackson supports progressive policies such as Medicare for All and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, hotly discussed in Maine since a recent ICE agent-involved incident.

The Democrats’ path to reclaiming the Senate is narrow, making a win in Maine crucial. They also need to secure victories in competitive races in North Carolina, Alaska, and Ohio, and retain existing Democratic seats.

Maine’s primary highlighted the clash between progressives and establishment Democrats, with Platner outlasting several prominent figures. His campaign faced issues that persisted until his withdrawal amid the assault accusation.

Collins has labeled Jackson as a ‘Bernie Bro,’ criticizing his alignment with Sanders and extreme politics. Jackson needs to engage the independent voters and bridge the fundraising gap, as Collins’ campaign amassed over $16 million, contrasting with Jackson’s $1 million after entering the Senate race.

Jackson emphasized readiness, stating, “We’re not from the left, we’re not from the right. We’re from the bottom, and we are rising.”

Associated Press journalist Nathan Ellgren contributed to this report.