Troy Jackson emerges as likely Democratic Senate nominee in Maine after Graham Platner’s exit
How left and right are reading this
- Both agree
- Jackson has effectively consolidated delegate support and elite backing, making him the likely nominee while preserving broad continuity with the agenda Platner had been running on.
- They split on
- Whether the story is about Democrats averting a damaging rupture before November, or about party insiders smoothly swapping in a new carrier for the same progressive politics.
The Facts
- Troy Jackson, a former Maine Senate president, has emerged as the likely replacement for Graham Platner as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine.
- The Democratic nominee will be chosen officially by delegates at a state party convention in Bangor on Saturday, after county meetings selected delegates across Maine.
- Graham Platner left the race less than two weeks ago after a sexual assault allegation, which he denied, creating the need for Democrats to pick a new nominee.
- Jackson built a strong delegate advantage over the weekend, with reports that his preferred slates won in multiple counties and secured hundreds of delegates pledged to support him.
- Several of Jackson’s main rivals, including Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and former Maine CDC director Nirav Shah, dropped out and called for Democrats to unite behind him.
- Jackson is a former logger and longtime Maine lawmaker, and multiple outlets describe him as politically close to Platner on progressive policy positions.
- The nomination matters because the eventual Democratic candidate is expected to face longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a high-profile November Senate race.
- Although Jackson appears to be the clear front-runner, the nomination is not yet official until delegates vote at the state convention.
Analytical frames for this storyTap to explore
Context
Why are Maine Democrats choosing a new Senate nominee?
Democrats need a replacement because Graham Platner withdrew from the race after a sexual assault allegation from a former partner. Platner denied the allegation, but his exit triggered the party’s process to select a new nominee Owensboro Messenger…,Guardian,U.S. News & World R….
How is the replacement nominee being selected?
Maine Democrats are using county meetings to choose delegates, and those delegates are scheduled to vote at a special state party convention in Bangor on Saturday to make the nomination official ArkansasOnline,CBS News,U.S. News & World R….
What remains unresolved?
Jackson is widely seen as the front-runner because of his delegate advantage and the withdrawal of major rivals, but delegates still must cast the formal vote at the convention before he becomes the official nominee ArkansasOnline,Guardian,Fox News.
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Independent coverage (50)
The Boston GlobeMaine Democrats get a Massachusetts hand
RocketNews | Top News Stories From Around the GlobeProgressive frontrunner and Maine logger poised to replace G...
The HillHow Jackson became Democrats' pick to take on Collins in Mai...
The Boston GlobeWhat a Troy Jackson vs. Susan Collins Maine Senate race matc...
The New York TimesOnce Anti-Abortion, Now a Progressive: The Evolution of a Ma...
Washington Free Beacon'Logger' and 'North Woods' Maine U.S. Senate Candidate Is Al...
Taegan Goddard's Political WireMaine Dems Sweat Troy Jackson Despite Dominant Victory
YahooDemocrats' Frontrunner In Maine Is Scrutinized Over Temper: ...
NBC BostonTroy Jackson secures overwhelming support to be Maine's Demo...
Digital News ReportTroy Jackson Wins Maine Senate Democratic Nomination
CNN InternationalMaine Democrat frontrunner faces scrutiny over alleged anger...
NewsChannel 3-12Maine Democratic Senate frontrunner faces scrutiny over alle...
The Boston GlobeA fifth-generation logger from Allagash is likely to face Su...
WMTWTroy Jackson turns focus to general election after strong ca...
Bangor Daily NewsTroy Jackson must build a massive campaign overnight to catc...
The Wall Street JournalOpinion | Maine Democrats Go Left Again
WMTWWhere the Maine Democratic U.S. Senate nomination process st...
Los Angeles TimesTroy Jackson surges as Maine Democrats' likely Senate pick a...
HotAirMeet Platner's Replacement: Shouty McShoutface
Roll CallTroy Jackson on track to replace Platner as Democratic Senat...
The New York TimesOpinion | Maine Democrats Are About to Replace an Oysterman ...
Wonderwall.comTroy Jackson primed to be Senate frontrunner
Kennebec Journal and Morning SentinelHow Troy Jackson mobilized supporters to become Maine's next...
NBC NewsDemocrats avoid a messy fight in Maine, but uncertainty ling...
TheBlazeGraham Platner is out. Troy Jackson is in. The politics have...
YahooHere's how many delegates Jackson won in each county
Bloomberg BusinessMaine Power Play Sets Stage for Competitive Senate Ballot
WND'Widespread open secret': Graham Platner replacement faces h...
Bradenton HeraldTroy Jackson likely to replace Platner in Maine U.S. Senate ...
YahooMaine Democrats have found Graham Platner's replacement. Can...
The IndependentMaine Democrats have found Graham Platner's replacement. Can...
Bangor Daily NewsCNN, BDN cancel Democratic US Senate debate after Troy Jacks...
YahooTroy Jackson is on a path to become Senate nominee
CNNWho is Troy Jackson? | CNN Politics
The Wall Street JournalWho is Troy Jackson, the Likely Democratic Nominee for Senat...
ABC NewsTroy Jackson emerges as potential frontrunner to replace Gra...
The HillWhat to know about Troy Jackson, the Democratic frontrunner ...
Mail OnlineTroy Jackson surges as Maine Democrats´ likely Senate pick a...
Owensboro Messenger-InquirerTroy Jackson surges as Maine Democrats' likely Senate pick a...
KXAN.comTroy Jackson surges as Maine Democrats' likely Senate pick a...
NourishMaine Senate Nomination Tightens, Deadlines Set
Washington ExaminerTroy Jackson turns race to replace Platner into a near-coron...
NYMagMaine Democrats Quickly Rally Around Troy Jackson for Senate
The GuardianTroy Jackson poised to replace Graham Platner as Democratic ...
YahooTroy Jackson poised to replace Graham Platner as Democratic ...
Crypto BriefingTroy Jackson steps in as Democratic nominee for Maine Senate...
Fox News5 things to know about Graham Platner ally poised to take on...
Yahoo5 things to know about Graham Platner ally poised to take on...
NEWS RADIO KOTA-AM 1380AM/100.7FM5 things to know about Graham Platner ally poised to take on...
WLWT5Troy Jackson appears closest to securing Maine nomination to...
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