Troy Jackson, a logger and former Maine Senate President, is poised to become the Democratic nominee in Maine’s US Senate race. He is set to replace Graham Platner, a progressive favorite who abruptly ended his campaign earlier this month following sexual assault allegations from a former partner.
The withdrawal of Platner triggered a rushed process within the Maine Democratic party to select a new candidate to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins. While several contenders initially filed paperwork for a special convention of 601 delegates scheduled for July 25, the field narrowed quickly. Over the weekend, Jackson's serious challengers dropped out, including one of his top opponents, Shenna Bellows, who ended her campaign on Sunday.
Jackson, who lost the Democratic gubernatorial primary earlier this year, is now the presumptive nominee as a majority of delegates have committed to voting for him. However, reports based on interviews reveal that the former state lawmaker previously yelled and cursed at fellow state lawmakers.