In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press on July 26, 2026, Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) stated his belief that Troy Jackson is a "strong candidate" capable of winning the U.S. Senate seat in Maine. Jackson replaced Graham Platner as the Democratic nominee and is positioned to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins.

Kelly also noted that Platner "wasn’t vetted well enough," implying that Jackson's candidacy strengthens the Democrats' chances in Maine. This endorsement highlights Democratic optimism about flipping the Maine Senate seat in the upcoming election.

Sources