Maine Democratic Gubernatorial Primary Heats Up as Platner Endorses Troy Jackson

Presumptive Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner announced that former state Senate President Troy Jackson is his top choice in the Maine Democratic gubernatorial primary. Platner also placed former House speaker Hannah Pingree and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows among his preferred candidates, highlighting shared labor‑and‑organizing priorities.

The primary, held June 9 with absentee voting already underway, uses ranked‑choice voting. Polls show a competitive field: former CDC director Nirav Shah currently leads with about 32 % support, followed by Jackson at 24 %, while Pingree, Bellows and others trail. The race will determine the Democratic challenger to longtime Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins, making it one of the most closely watched contests in the state and a test of Platner’s emerging influence.

Republican candidates include Jonathan Bush, former Assistant Secretary of State Bobby Charles, businessman David Jones and former Senate Majority Leader Garrett Mason. The outcome is expected to shape the political landscape in the Pine Tree State ahead of the November Senate contest.