Troy Jackson, a former Graham Platner ally, well-positioned to win Maine Democrats’ nomination to face Sen. Susan Collins
Jackson Emerges as Leading Contender for Maine Senate Nomination Following Platner’s Exit
Troy Jackson a former Graham Platner – Troy Jackson, who previously served as president of the Maine Senate, has accumulated a commanding lead in an abbreviated and atypical competition to succeed Graham Platner. The former legislative leader now faces Republican Senator Susan Collins in what represents a crucial contest for Democrats hoping to secure majority control of the United States Senate.
During Saturday’s initial phase of delegate selection at the county level, supporters of Jackson captured approximately 300 positions out of 319 available slots. These delegates will gather on July 25 for a convention in Bangor where they will formally select the party’s candidate. Should these delegates maintain their backing of Jackson, he would possess sufficient momentum to claim the nomination. The former Senate president plans to strengthen his position further on Sunday when remaining counties choose an additional 181 delegates.
Addressing his supporters on social media platform X on Saturday evening, Jackson expressed gratitude and optimism. “We’re well on our way to getting the government that we deserve,” he wrote. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
Platner’s Departure and Jackson’s Positioning
Graham Platner concluded his Senate campaign on July 10 following multiple controversies that included a rape accusation, which he has denied. Although Jackson was among those urging Platner to withdraw from the race, the two had previously campaigned together. Jackson positioned himself as the individual most capable of advancing the progressive agenda that Platner championed throughout his political career.
Where Platner energized audiences with his distinctive deep voice and passionate critiques of wealthy elites, Jackson brings a more measured approach to public discourse. Nevertheless, Jackson maintained strong connections to Platner’s political project through their shared gubernatorial campaign earlier this year. He has made direct appeals to voters who supported Platner, telling them, “The movement that you’ve built can win.”
Convention Details and Delegate Breakdown
The Bangor convention will host 601 delegates in total. Five hundred will emerge from this weekend’s county-level elections, while the remaining 101 will automatically join from the Democratic State Committee. Eight counties completed their delegate selections on Saturday. Slates endorsed by Jackson’s campaign secured roughly 94 percent of available positions, including every slot in the three most populous counties.
In Cumberland County, which contains Portland and represents the state’s largest jurisdiction, voters selected up to 179 delegates from approximately 1,300 potential candidates. The top 149 recipients who met qualification requirements all appeared on Jackson’s slate.
Policy Positions and Political Background
Jackson originally entered the gubernatorial race in the June primary, finishing third in the initial voting round. Two additional former candidates for governor—epidemiologist Nirav Shah and Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows—continue their campaigns for the Senate nomination. Twelve candidates competed before this weekend’s county meetings.
Similar to Platner, Jackson enjoys the backing of Vermont independent Senator Bernie Sanders and campaigned on a platform designed for working-class progressives. His policy priorities include implementing Medicare for All, increasing taxation on billionaires, and eliminating Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Additionally, Jackson opposes military assistance to Israel, a position that aligns him with Democrats who remain divided regarding American relations with the nation.
Jackson has participated in Maine politics for more than twenty years, spending the majority of that period in the state Senate where he held the presidency from 2018 through 2024.
Challenges Ahead Against Collins
It remains uncertain how Jackson will construct his argument against Senator Collins compared to Platner’s approach. Both candidates have characterized Collins as belonging to an elitist circle that has neglected working-class residents of Maine. All potential nominees have recently criticized Collins for being overly supportive of ICE following an incident in which a federal agent fatally shot a man in Biddeford, a coastal community in Maine.
During a debate on Thursday, Jackson stated that Collins “should have been able to stop ICE” while serving as chair of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee.
