Troy Jackson picked to challenge Collins in Maine after Platner's exit

Democrats selected former Maine Senate President https://www.axios.com/2026/07/09/democrats-maine-senate-race-replace-platner" target="_blank">Troy Jackson on Saturday to challenge Republican Sen. https://www.axios.com/2026/03/16/one-nation-susan-collins-maine-senate-ad-buy" target="_blank">Susan Collins this fall after https://www.axios.com/2026/07/10/graham-platner-maine-senate-democrats" target="_blank">Graham Platner's embattled campaign ended.

Why it matters: Jackson's selection is another win for the left flank of the Democratic party, which lined up behind another progressive candidate as their best shot at flipping one of the most important seats to win back Senate control.

Driving the news: Delegates to a special nominating convention selected Jackson Saturday morning, the Associated Press https://apnews.com/article/maine-senate-susan-collins-platner-troy-jackson-a5f89f03b6a9aace01f4e829befb7809" target="_blank">reported.

• Jackson all but locked up the https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/07/19/maine-democrats-rally-around-logger-troy-jackson-replace-graham-platner/" target="_blank">nomination last weekend after Democrats across the state overwhelmingly selected his https://www.jacksonformaine.com/caucus" target="_blank">preferred https://mainedems.org/over-17000-maine-democrats-voted-in-delegate-nominating-meetings/" target="_blank">delegate slate.
• "We're well on our way to getting the government that we fucking deserve," Jackson said in a https://www.facebook.com/reel/1739609183915711" target="_blank">video to supporters at the time.
• Top contenders in the crowded race subsequently https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/four-democratic-us-senate-hopefuls-drop-out-of-race-sunday-three-endorse-troy-jackson/97-8cee8caa-3cea-44b0-af9c-b3482e433147" target="_blank">ended their campaigns.
• Jackson replaces the scandal-plagued Platner, who https://www.axios.com/2026/07/06/graham-platner-democrats-maine-senate-susan-collins" target="_blank">was accused of sexual assault — an allegation he denies.

Catch up quick: Jackson, whose campaign describes him as a fifth-generation logger and "lifelong fighter for workers' rights," finished third in June's Democratic primary for governor.

• His campaign priorities https://www.jacksonformaine.com/" target="_blank">include passing Medicare for all, cutting off tax dollars to Israel's military, abolishing ICE and passing a federal right to abortion.
• Progressive kingmaker Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/politics/maine-politics/senator-bernie-sanders-endorses-troy-jackson-for-maine-governor-citing-working-class-roots-2026/97-eaf20f02-8cef-41de-a106-210894bf331d" target="_blank">endorsed Jackson in the gubernatorial race.

What to watch: Jackson may have glided through his party's nomination process, but Republicans have been preparing for a https://www.axios.com/2026/07/07/republicans-8-million-ad-campaign-platner-replacement" target="_blank">massive ad blitz against whoever ended up as Platner's replacement.

Go deeper: https://www.axios.com/2026/07/08/trump-effect-platner-maine-democrats" target="_blank">The Trump effect: Why Dems embraced a Platner time bomb