BANGOR, Maine — Former state Senate President Troy Jackson officially became the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Maine on Saturday, July 25th, launching a 101-day campaign sprint to the November Election Day in a race critical for his party.

The nomination followed a state convention in Bangor attended by hundreds of Democrats. The primary winner, Graham Platner, ended his campaign earlier in July after a sexual assault allegation, which he denied.

Jackson, a veteran legislator, was widely expected to secure the nomination after his supporters dominated delegate selections at county meetings and his major opponents withdrew. Maine Democratic Party Chair Charlie Dingman opened the convention "with a sigh of relief," later announcing Jackson had won all but five of the 571 ballots cast, prompting enthusiastic cheers and chants of "Troy!"

Incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins, the only GOP senator representing a state lost by Donald Trump in 2024, is seeking a sixth term. Collins' campaign criticized the Democratic nomination process, with spokesman Shawn Roderick calling Jackson a "24-year Augusta insider" chosen by fewer than 0.3% of primary voters and contrasting Collins' bipartisan record with what he described as Jackson's "low-energy campaign" and partisan record.

Supporters of Jackson praised his passion and advocacy for working-class families. Jim Gerritsen, an organic farmer from Aroostook County who has collaborated with Jackson on legislation, said, "I’m all for him getting strong to fight for us because we know for sure that Susan Collins has never lifted a finger in her life to fight for the working class."

The race is drawing national attention as a must-win for Democrats.

Sources

Democrats pick Troy Jackson to replace Graham Platner in must-win Maine Senate race - NBC Politics