Democrats in Maine have selected former state Senate President Troy Jackson as their nominee for the Senate seat currently held by Republican Susan Collins.
Jackson supports abolishing ICE, Medicare for All, and expanding the Supreme Court.
The new candidate will replace Graham Platner, who withdrew from the race amid sexual misconduct allegations.
Jackson secured overwhelming support in county delegate elections over the weekend, winning majorities in nearly every county.
This gives him a commanding lead heading into the Democratic nominating convention scheduled for July 25.
Several rivals, including Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and former state CDC director Nirav Shah, have already dropped out and endorsed Jackson.
Jackson, a logger from Allagash, previously served as Senate President from 2018 to 2024.
He ran unsuccessfully for governor and has long been aligned with progressive causes, including labor unions.
An ethics complaint was filed against him in 2023 regarding a 2019 home purchase in Augusta using an FHA loan.
Jackson allegedly signed documents stating the Augusta property would be his primary residence but continued to claim Allagash as his residence for legislative and other purposes.
The politician claimed he “never really read” the mortgage documents and relied on his broker.
The Maine Ethics Commission reviewed complaints but did not pursue further action.
Additionally, the group Progressive Victory has warned that Jackson once threw a bottle at a female colleague, describing the incident as an “open secret” in Maine politics.
Hellbound and Down 