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Democrats poised to nominate Troy Jackson to challenge Susan Collins
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson is poised to become the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate after Graham Platner withdrew following a sexual assault allegation, with Jackson expected to win the party's convention nomination over Saundra Pelletier.
- Jackson faces incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who is seeking a sixth term in a key race for control of the U.S. Senate; Democrats view Maine as a crucial opportunity to flip a seat in a state Trump won in 2024.
- Jackson aims to leverage his working-class background and appeal in rural northern Maine to cut into Collins’ margins, while also needing to perform strongly in Democratic strongholds like Portland and the suburbs.
- Fundraising remains a major challenge for Jackson, who has raised over $1 million since July but still trails Collins’ $11 million war chest; Democratic groups are expected to support Jackson following his nomination.
- Collins’ campaign attacks Jackson as a "Bernie bro" out of touch with Maine voters, while Jackson counters by criticizing Collins’ alignment with Trump and corporate interests, emphasizing the need for a fighter to represent Maine.
