Washington — On Saturday, Maine Democrats will convene to choose a U.S. Senate nominee. The convention aims to fill the vacancy left by Graham Platner, who withdrew following a sexual assault allegation. Former state Senate President, Troy Jackson, is the frontrunner with widespread support among delegates.
A dozen Democrats initially sought the nomination after Platner’s exit. However, most stepped back after county nomination meetings favored Jackson’s delegates, securing nearly 500 slots. Prominent figures such as Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and former Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah have withdrawn and urged unity against Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
Despite Jackson’s dominant position, lesser-known candidates David Costello and Saundra Pelletier remain. Dan Kleban, co-founder of Maine Beer Company, qualified for the ballot but endorsed Jackson and requested to withdraw.
Maine Democratic Party Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson stated, “We look forward to hearing directly from these candidates and bringing Democrats from every corner of Maine together on Saturday to choose the strongest nominee to defeat Susan Collins.”
Jackson, a fifth-generation logger aged 58, served as state Senate president from 2018 to 2024. Initially a Republican, he won his first state House race as an independent in 2002, later becoming a Democrat. He previously campaigned for governor, ranking third in the primary with backing from Platner and independent Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Aligned with Sanders’ progressive policies, Jackson participated in Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign. The Senate race experienced an expedited process following Platner’s withdrawal, adhering to Maine’s election laws that stipulate a nominee must withdraw by 5 p.m. on the second Monday in July. They must then select a new candidate within two weeks. Maine Democrats scheduled the convention just before the July 27 deadline.