Troy Jackson poised to become Maine Democratic Senate nominee

After former candidate Graham Platner withdrew from the U.S. Senate race following a sexual‑assault allegation, Maine Democrats are convening a delegate convention in Bangor to pick a replacement nominee to challenge longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Former state Senate president and fifth‑generation logger Troy Jackson has emerged as the clear favorite, gaining backing from progressive groups linked to Sen. Bernie Sanders and winning the support of many former Platner allies.

Jackson will face at least one other contender—biopharma executive Saundra Pelletier, after candidate David Costello withdrew and endorsed Jackson. A legal challenge has been raised by Republican state Rep. James White, who argues that Maine law may bar Jackson from running after having lost a statewide primary earlier this year. White wrote, “The vacancy process exists to fill an unexpected vacancy, not to provide a second opportunity for a candidate who already sought and lost another office during the same election process.”

Jackson, who once held anti‑abortion positions but now supports abortion rights, has also voiced opposition to recent Trump‑administered tariffs on Canadian goods. The nomination could determine control of the U.S. Senate.