Troy Jackson nears Maine Democratic Senate nomination to face Collins

Key Points:

• Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson is poised to replace ex-candidate Graham Platner as the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins, following delegate wins and endorsements from Platner's former allies.
• Jackson, a fifth-generation logger and former Republican turned Democrat, has evolved from conservative stances on abortion and same-sex marriage to a progressive platform supporting reproductive rights and healthcare as a human right.
• He previously ran for governor in 2022, finishing third in the Democratic primary, and has aligned with Platner on a progressive and populist agenda focused on Medicare-for-all, higher taxes on billionaires, and abolishing ICE.
• Jackson received key endorsements from progressive figures such as Rep. Ro Khanna and the group Our Revolution, along with strong backing from Maine labor unions, consolidating his position ahead of the state Democratic nominating convention.
• The upcoming Senate race against Collins is expected to be highly competitive and significant in determining control of the U.S. Senate, currently held by Republicans with a 53-47 majority.