The Democrats in Maine are concluding preparations for the party’s nominating convention on Saturday. They aim to choose a U.S. Senate candidate to replace Graham Platner for the upcoming election in November. Troy Jackson, a former state Senate President, is likely to secure the nomination.
Initially, about twelve Democrats expressed interest in the nomination following Platner’s withdrawal amid a sexual assault accusation. However, the number of potential candidates decreased last weekend as Maine counties conducted meetings to choose delegates. Jackson managed to get most delegates elected in his favor. Out of the 500 total delegates elected, a vast majority supports Jackson.
Jackson has practically secured the nomination by informally winning the majority of delegate slots that will determine the nominee. The primary competitors in the race, such as Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and former Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah, have stepped down. They urged the party to unify to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Yet, lesser-known candidates like David Costello and Saundra Pelletier will still be on the convention ballot. Dan Kleban, co-founder of Maine Beer Company, also qualified for the ballot but has endorsed Jackson and asked to withdraw.
According to Maine Democratic Party Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson, “We anticipate hearing directly from these candidates and uniting Democrats across Maine on Saturday to choose the strongest nominee to defeat Susan Collins.” During the convention, delegates from Maine’s 16 counties will vote. Although delegates on Jackson’s slate aren’t obligated to back him, they are expected to do so.
Profile: Troy Jackson
Jackson, 58, a fifth-generation logger, served as state Senate president from 2018 to 2024 and was previously a state representative in Maine’s northernmost region. Initially a Republican, Jackson ran his first state House race with the party before becoming an independent and then a Democrat in 2002.
Prior to his Senate bid, Jackson ran for governor with endorsements from Graham Platner and independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, finishing third in the primary. Aligned with Sanders, Jackson supported progressive policies when he worked on Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign.
Platner’s withdrawal necessitated an expedited process to find a replacement. Under Maine election law, a nominee must withdraw by the second Monday in July for a replacement to be appointed to the ballot. The party then has two weeks to select a new nominee. Maine Democrats opted for a nominating convention to ensure resident participation, scheduling it right before the July 27 deadline.
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