Troy Jackson enters Maine Senate race with under 100 days to face Collins
Why it matters: The late candidate swap follows rape allegations against former nominee Graham Platner, jolting Democrats in a pivotal Senate contest.
Democrats in Maine have turned to Troy Jackson as their new U.S. Senate candidate, giving him less than 100 days to challenge Republican incumbent Susan Collins in one of the races that could help decide control of the chamber. Jackson replaces Graham Platner, who suspended his campaign earlier this month after a woman he once dated accused him of rape; Platner has denied the allegation. Jackson has tried to reassure progressives who rallied to Platner’s anti-establishment campaign, backing issues including Medicare for All, unions and workers’ rights. He has also highlighted his background as a fifth-generation logger from rural northern Maine as he works to unify Democrats before November.