Maine’s Troy Jackson Is on a Path to Become Senate Nominee

Four other top contenders have withdrawn from the Democratic race as Jackson picked up a majority of delegates.

Election 2026 Maine Governor

Troy Jackson, the former Maine state Senate president, has a majority of delegates heading into Saturday’s convention to choose the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate. Robert F. Bukaty/AP

Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson may have effectively clinched the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Maine.

Jackson, who is seeking to replace scandal-plagued Graham Platner on the Democratic ticket after Platner dropped out, has the backing of more than half of the delegates who will attend next weekend’s nominating convention, according to an analysis by the Bangor Daily News.

His position strengthened Sunday as four rivals — former state Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director Nirav Shah, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Capitol Hill staffer Jordan Wood and Maine Beer Company co-founder Dan Kleban — withdrew from the contest.