Amid growing calls for Graham Platner to withdraw from the Senate race due to rape allegations, Maine Democrat Troy Jackson is positioning himself as a potential candidate. Unveiling his interest, Jackson filed official paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to enter the race if the Democratic nomination becomes available. Notable Democrats like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have pulled their support for Platner and are urging him to end his campaign. Platner contests the allegations, labeling them “categorically false” and continues with his campaign efforts.
Maine law grants Platner until Monday, July 13 to withdraw if the Democrats wish to replace him on the November ballot. If Platner steps down before this deadline, the state Democratic Party will have until July 27 to select a new nominee. Jackson, recently defeated in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, expressed his interest in the Senate race through social media engagements, condemning the allegations against Platner while stating he hasn’t solidified his decision on seeking the nomination.
Jackson and Platner’s campaigns were closely aligned, both championing progressive platforms with backing from Sen. Bernie Sanders. However, in light of these emerging allegations, Our Revolution — the political group Sanders spearheaded post-2016 — has shifted its support from Platner to Jackson. “We have days, not weeks, to ensure a genuine progressive is on the ballot,” asserted Our Revolution Executive Director Joseph Geevarghese.
Jackson’s long-standing association with Sanders spans over a decade. During the 2016 Democratic presidential primary, Jackson was among the few superdelegates who endorsed Sanders over Hillary Clinton. Sanders, in return, supported Jackson’s gubernatorial bid and appeared alongside him at campaign events.
A logger by trade, Jackson is well-known within Maine’s labor circles. He spent over 20 years in the state Legislature, serving as Senate president until 2024. Jackson’s gubernatorial platform centered around universal child care, Medicare for all, and affordable housing initiatives. His progressive agenda has garnered strong labor union endorsements. Despite Jackson’s progressive politics, he has garnered electoral success in a region backing President Trump, proving that his emphasis on economic issues resonates more than partisan tags.
Elaine Mallon, a Fox News Digital and Fox Business journalist, contacted Jackson’s team for comment.