- Troy Jackson was nominated after the collapse of Graham Platner's campaign due to rape accusations.
- Jackson dominated the delegate process with 91% of delegates and received 566 votes compared to opponent Saundra Pelletier's 5 votes.
- In his acceptance speech, Jackson said, ‘Today we turn the page’ and ‘begin the work of defeating Susan Collins in November.’
- Jackson, 58, enters a competitive and pivotal Senate race against Susan Collins, 73, which is key to Democratic hopes of taking the Senate.
- Jackson is a fifth-generation logger and union organizer, led Bernie Sanders's campaign in Maine, and supports Medicare For All and economic populism.
- Collins' spokesman said she would wage a ‘vigorous and issue-oriented campaign’ against Jackson's ‘angry sound bites and far-left ideology.’
- Jackson cast himself as a working-class outsider and accused Collins of ‘standing up for billionaires over Mainers.’
- Collins pitches herself as a political moderate with seniority to bring money back to Maine.
Troy Jackson emerged victorious at the Maine Democratic Convention, capturing 91% of the delegate votes to replace Graham Platner, who withdrew amid serious allegations. Jackson, a fifth-generation logger and union organizer, is set to challenge Republican incumbent Susan Collins in a pivotal Senate race this November.16789
In his acceptance speech, Jackson declared, “Today we turn the page,” emphasizing the shift towards a general election campaign. He criticized Collins for prioritizing billionaires over Mainers, stating, “I got involved because the people that I worked beside were getting screwed.” Jackson's platform includes support for Medicare For All and economic populism, mirroring the ideological stance of his predecessor.
The race is crucial for Democrats aiming to regain control of the Senate, with polls indicating a tight contest between Jackson and Collins, both candidates running within the margin of error. Collins' campaign has already launched a six-figure ad buy attacking Jackson, labeling him as “worse than Platner.” Meanwhile, Collins positions herself as a moderate with the experience to bring resources to Maine.
As the November election approaches, Jackson's nomination marks a significant turning point in Maine's political landscape, with both candidates gearing up for a competitive showdown.
“Jackson, a fifth-generation logger and union organizer, captured 91% of convention delegates; the Maine Senate race is key to Democratic hopes and polls show it tied. In his acceptance speech, he said, 'Today we turn the page and begin the work of defeating Susan Collins.'”
The Boston Globe
