Maine Democrats pick Troy Jackson for Senate race after Platner fallout
Why it matters: Jackson now faces Sen. Susan Collins in a race that could help decide control of the Senate.
Maine Democrats chose former state Senate President Troy Jackson as their U.S. Senate nominee on Saturday, moving quickly to reset the race after Graham Platner’s primary win collapsed amid rape allegations. At the party’s convention in Bangor, Jackson beat Saundra Pelletier 566-5 after other top rivals dropped out and backed him. Jackson has raised more than $1 million for the campaign and enters one of the key midterm contests on the map. Collins is the only Republican incumbent seeking re-election in a state Donald Trump lost in 2024, making Maine one of a handful of races that could determine whether Republicans keep their narrow Senate majority.