Troy Jackson emerges as Democrats’ likely Senate pick in Maine
After Graham Platner’s exit, Maine Democrats have moved quickly toward Troy Jackson, though questions remain before the race against Susan Collins.
By Sal Moretti · Money Reporter
3 min read
Troy Jackson is in line to become Democrats’ replacement nominee in Maine’s closely watched Senate race after a rapid party scramble that followed Graham Platner’s withdrawal, according to NBC News analysis by Sahil Kapur.
Platner left the race less than two weeks ago after pressure mounted following a sexual assault allegation, NBC News reported. No response from Platner to the allegation was included in NBC’s account.
His exit threatened to leave Democrats fighting among themselves in a contest aimed at Republican Sen. Susan Collins, a veteran incumbent. Instead, the party moved quickly through an expedited process to choose a new nominee before a July 27 deadline under Maine law, according to NBC News.
Jackson gains ground fast
Jackson, a former president of the Maine Senate, dominated delegate selection contests held across the state, NBC News reported. That put him in a commanding position after party meetings over the weekend and helped head off a convention battle.
His strength came from a ground operation and a pro-union record that appealed to progressives, including some of Platner’s former backers, according to NBC News. At the same time, NBC reported, Jackson did not drive away the party’s more centrist wing.
By the end of the weekend, his Democratic rivals had bowed out. Shenna Bellows, Nirav Shah, Dan Kleban and Jordan Wood all ended their campaigns, NBC News reported, either endorsing Jackson outright or saying they would help the eventual nominee in the fall.
A national Democratic strategist involved in Senate races told NBC News there was relief inside the party that Democrats were no longer facing the general election with Platner as their nominee.
“Eyes on the prize here. We want to beat Susan Collins,” the strategist told NBC News. “He’s more able to do that than Graham.”
Relief, with a warning label
Jackson is no newcomer to Maine politics. NBC News noted that he spent 20 years in the state Legislature, including six years as Senate president from 2018 to 2024.
Still, NBC’s analysis said he has not been tested in the glare of a national Senate race. Because the replacement process moved so quickly, Democrats have less time to see what opposition research, national attention or heavy Republican spending could do to his standing.
The same Democratic strategist told NBC News that party organizations with major resources are likely to support Jackson if vetting does not turn up new problems.
Republicans are already expected to try to connect Jackson to Platner, NBC News reported, because Jackson had previously been a vocal Platner supporter. Collins’ allies and GOP groups are preparing to make that link part of the campaign, according to the report.
For Democrats, the shift marks a sharp turn from crisis to cautious relief. NBC News reported that party figures who would have worried months ago about nominating someone without a long primary vetting process now see Jackson as a far better option than the chaos that appeared possible after Platner quit.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.