Troy Jackson secures Democratic nomination to challenge Susan Collins in Maine Senate race

Jul 19, 2026

Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson has secured the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins, replacing Graham Platner who withdrew amid a sexual assault allegation. Jackson, a progressive former logger, won overwhelming support from party delegates for the must-win race, which is critical to Democrats' hopes of gaining a U.S. Senate majority.

Democratic nomination contest

▪The Maine Democratic Party has until July 27 to officially name a replacement nominee.
▪Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows withdrew from the Senate race amid Jackson's growing support.
▪Troy Jackson has effectively secured the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in the Maine Senate race.
▪Jackson won the support of nearly two-thirds of the 601 delegates ahead of the July 25 state convention.

Platner withdrawal from race

▪Platner, who denies the allegation, suspended his campaign on July 8 after being accused of sexual assault.
▪The nomination became open after the initial nominee, Graham Platner, dropped out of the race on July 10 following a series of scandals.

Jackson's political background

▪Troy Jackson has directly appealed to Graham Platner's former supporters, presenting himself as the candidate to continue Platner's progressive movement.
▪With over two decades in Maine politics, Jackson has deep roots in the state's labor movement.
▪Jackson is a former logger from rural northern Maine and previously served as president of the state Senate from 2018 to 2024.

Progressive policy platform

▪Jackson's progressive platform includes support for 'Medicare for All,' raising taxes on billionaires, and abolishing ICE.
▪Jackson also opposes military aid to Israel, a divisive issue among Democrats.
▪Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, endorsed Jackson in a past gubernatorial race.

Criticism of Susan Collins

▪Susan Collins is widely considered the most vulnerable incumbent Republican senator in the 2026 election cycle.
▪The Maine Senate seat is critical to Democrats' hopes of overturning the Republicans' 53-47 majority in the U.S. Senate.
▪Jackson stated that as head of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Susan Collins 'should have been able to stop ICE' after an agent shot a man in Biddeford.
▪Jackson has criticized Collins as part of an elite group that has overlooked working-class Mainers.