Maine Democrats voted Saturday to replace their scandal-plagued Senate candidate with former state Senate President Troy Jackson, who will now face incumbent Republican Susan Collins in what’s shaping up as one of 2026’s most closely watched races.
The state party chose Jackson by a margin of 566-5 to take over the nomination after Graham Platner withdrew earlier this month following sexual abuse allegations. The lopsided vote suggests Democrats are eager to move past the controversy and focus on unseating Collins, who has held her seat since 1997.
Jackson Brings Working-Class Appeal to Race
Jackson, a logger and union electrician before entering politics, represented one of Maine’s poorest districts in the state legislature. He served as Senate President from 2018 to 2020 and built a reputation as a working-class voice in Augusta. His background stands in sharp contrast to Collins, who has spent nearly three decades in Washington.
The timing gives Jackson just over three months to introduce himself to voters statewide and build a campaign operation from scratch. Collins, meanwhile, has been fundraising and organizing for months and enters the general election with significant advantages in name recognition and campaign cash.
Collins Faces Test in Changing Maine
Collins won her last race in 2020 by nine points, but Maine has trended more competitive in recent cycles. The state split its electoral votes in 2024, and Democrats see an opening if they can energize their base in Portland and coastal areas while Jackson’s rural credentials help limit losses in conservative northern counties.
The senator has positioned herself as a moderate willing to break with her party, a brand that’s helped her survive previous tough races. But she’ll face pressure to defend her votes on issues from border security to energy policy as Jackson works to tie her to Washington’s failures.
National Democrats had largely written off the Maine race when Platner was the nominee, but Jackson’s selection could prompt a second look. His first test will be whether he can raise the money needed to compete with Collins’ war chest and get his message to voters across a geographically challenging state before November.
Key Points
- Maine Democrats chose Troy Jackson 566-5 to replace scandal-tarred candidate Graham Platner
- Jackson, a former logger and union electrician, brings working-class credentials to race against Susan Collins
- The late start gives Jackson just over three months to build statewide campaign against well-funded incumbent
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5989977-live-updates-trump-iran-warm-maine-democrats-senate-race-whcd/ – July 25, 2026
