Maine Democrat Who Called for Scandal-Hit Rival’s Exit Now Carries Senate Torch in High-Stakes Race

Troy Jackson, Maine’s newly selected Democratic Senate nominee, expressed regret about the circumstances that landed him the position, saying he wished “nothing would have happened” to his predecessor Graham Platner. Jackson, a former logger and ex-president of the Maine State Senate, inherited the nomination after Platner’s campaign collapsed in July amid multiple allegations, including a sexual assault claim from his ex-girlfriend that Platner has denied.

Jackson had initially competed in Maine’s gubernatorial primary earlier this summer, finishing third before pivoting to the Senate race following Platner’s departure. The transition positioned Jackson to challenge longtime incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins in a contest with potential implications for Senate control, though Jackson indicated he had not initially sought the nomination.

Despite their shared progressive ideology and Jackson’s prior work on Senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaigns, Jackson joined other Democrats in publicly calling for Platner to step aside once the allegations surfaced. In a statement on X, Jackson declared that the allegations were “serious, credible, and deserving of full accountability” and argued Platner must withdraw to protect the movement’s working-class base.

Jackson’s own past has drawn scrutiny in recent weeks, including a 1988 police record documenting allegations that he assaulted a man and pushed his longtime partner during a nighttime incident, as well as a more recent incident involving throwing a water bottle while serving in the Maine State Senate. Collins pointed to reporting about Jackson’s apparent difficulty controlling his temper when addressing questions about his background.

Meanwhile, supporters of Platner have launched a write-in campaign to resurrect his candidacy before Maine’s August 25 deadline. A website and opinion pieces in local newspapers argue that Maine’s ranked-choice voting system would allow voters to rank Platner first and Jackson second, potentially preserving Democratic chances against Collins while respecting primary voters’ original preference.