Troy Jackson is the presumptive Democratic nominee for Maine’s US Senate seat following the withdrawal of Graham Platner.
Troy Jackson is poised to become the Democratic nominee for Maine’s US Senate race after Graham Platner withdrew from the race due to sexual assault allegations. The move allows the party to avoid a divisive convention and move quickly to select a candidate to challenge Republican incumbent Susan Collins. Over the weekend, several major rivals including Jordan Wood, Nirav Shah, Dan Kleban, and Shenna Bellows ended their campaigns, providing Troy Jackson with a clear path to the nomination. The former state senate president secured broad backing from 601 delegates and major unions. While Troy Jackson was a vocal supporter of Platner, his pro-union record and experience as a legislator have made him the progressive favorite. The administration announced that the Democratic party will formally choose the replacement by July 27. Supporters believe Troy Jackson is better positioned than the "damaged" Platner to flip the seat. Meanwhile, in South Carolina, Darline Graham announced she will seek a full Senate term following an endorsement from President Trump.