Jackson gains majority delegate support in Maine to challenge US Senator Collins, Politico reports

By Ahmed Aboulenein

WASHINGTON, July 19 (Reuters) - ‌Former Maine Senate President ​Troy ​Jackson has effectively secured the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins in November, winning support from a majority of delegates ahead of the ‌state's convention next weekend, Politico reported on Sunday.

Democrats are scrambling to regroup ⁠after their initial nominee, Graham Platner, left the race following a sexual assault allegation.

Collins is widely seen as the ‌most vulnerable incumbent Republican senator in ‌2026, making the Maine seat critical to Democrats' hopes of overturning Republicans' 53-47 Senate majority in the midterm elections.

Nearly two-thirds of the 601 delegates have committed to backing Jackson ​at the statewide convention, though they are not legally bound to do so, Politico reported. Jackson dominated county-level meetings over the weekend that selected the delegates, with two rivals ⁠falling far behind.

One of those rivals, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, withdrew earlier on Sunday, saying she would focus on ​her current role and urging Democrats to unify quickly to defeat Collins.

LOGGER WITH PROGRESSIVE TIES

Jackson, a former logger from rural northern Maine, has deep ​roots in the state's labor movement and close ties ‌to the party's progressive wing; Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont Independent who caucuses with Democrats, endorsed him in a past gubernatorial race.

Jackson had campaigned ⁠for Platner during the primary but joined Democrats who urged him to step aside after the allegation emerged.

PLATNER'S ABRUPT EXIT

Platner, a populist progressive, suspended his campaign on July 8 after a woman accused him ⁠of sexually assaulting her while they were dating five years ago, ending a run marked by personal controversies. ​He denies the allegation but said pressure from state and national Democrats made it impossible to continue.

He had won the nomination in June with more than 70% of the primary vote after his main rival, ‌Governor Janet Mills, suspended her campaign in April.

The state's Democratic Party has until July 27 to name a replacement.

Collins is the only Republican ‌up for reelection in a state former Vice President Kamala Harris won in 2024, defeating President Donald ⁠Trump there by about 7 points. Even ‌so, Collins has held her ​seat since 1997 and Democrats have not won a Senate race in Maine since 1988.

(Reporting by Ahmed Aboulenein in Washington; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and ‌Matthew Lewis)

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