Troy Jackson Gains Momentum for Maine Democratic Senate Nomination

WHO:

NBC News - Shenna Bellows dropped out of the Senate race.

CNN - Troy Jackson, former Maine Senate President

CNN - Graham Platner, former candidate for Senate

CNN - Susan Collins, Republican Senator

CNN - Nirav Shah, former public health chief

CNN - Shenna Bellows, Maine Secretary of State

CNN - Jordan Wood, former 2nd Congressional District candidate

Bangor Daily News - Michael Saxl, lobbyist and Bellows supporter

Bangor Daily News - Michele Carey, uncommitted delegate candidate

WHAT:

CNN - Jackson's delegates won about 300 of the 319 slots available during the first day of county-level delegate selection.

Bangor Daily News - Jackson won at least 290 of the first 319 delegates decided across the first eight counties to vote for delegates this weekend.

Bangor Daily News - Jackson won at least 148 of 149 delegates in Cumberland County, all 44 delegates in Penobscot County, and at least 37 of 40 in Kennebec County.

Bangor Daily News - Jackson's slate won about 94% of the slots available during the first day of county-level delegate selection.

Bangor Daily News - Jackson's delegate slate had almost no overlap with his three closest rivals, indicating strong organizational strength.

Bangor Daily News - Eight more counties will caucus, including York, Aroostook, and Oxford, before the full delegate field is set ahead of the July 25 convention in Bangor.

CNN - Jackson's delegates won over 90% of the slots during the county-level delegate selection.

Bangor Daily News - Jackson's slate won about 94% of the slots available during the first day of county-level delegate selection.

CNN - Jackson's delegates won about 300 of the 319 slots available during the first day of county-level delegate selection.

Bangor Daily News - Jackson was just 11 delegates short of clinching the nomination after the caucus day.

Bangor Daily News - Jackson's slate won about 94% of the slots up for grabs, including every slot in the three largest counties that held contests.

Bangor Daily News - Jackson won at least 148 of 149 delegates in Cumberland County, all 44 delegates in Penobscot County, and at least 37 of 40 in Kennebec County.

Bangor Daily News - Jackson enters the caucus weekend with 670 delegate candidates publicly backing him, compared to 445 for both Nirav Shah and Shenna Bellows.

CNN - Jackson will look to further tighten his grip on Sunday when the state’s remaining counties elect 181 more delegates.

Bangor Daily News - Jackson won at least 290 of the first 319 delegates decided across the first eight counties to vote for delegates this weekend.

Bangor Daily News - Jackson's slate won about 94% of the slots up for grabs, including every slot in the three largest counties that held contests.

Bangor Daily News - Jackson originally ran for governor in the June primary, placing third in the first round of voting.

Bangor Daily News - Eight more counties caucus Sunday, including York, Aroostook, and Oxford, before the full delegate field is set ahead of the July 25 convention in Bangor.

CNN - Jackson's slate won about 94% of the delegate slots available during the first day of county-level delegate selection.

Bangor Daily News - Jackson was just 11 delegates short of clinching the nomination after the caucus day.

Bangor Daily News - Jackson won at least 22 of 23 delegates in Hancock County and six of nine in Franklin County.

Bangor Daily News - Jackson enters the caucus weekend with 670 delegate candidates publicly backing him, compared to 445 for both Nirav Shah and Shenna Bellows.

CNN - Jackson's slate won about 300 of the 319 delegate slots available during the first day of county-level delegate selection.

CNN - Jackson needs roughly the support he has to win the nomination at the convention.

CNN - Jackson won at least 290 of the first 319 delegates decided across the first eight counties.

Bangor Daily News - Jackson won at least 148 of 149 delegates in Cumberland County, all 44 delegates in Penobscot County, and at least 37 of 40 in Kennebec County.

Bangor Daily News - The July 25 convention will feature 601 delegates, with 500 coming from county elections.

WHERE:

Bangor Daily News - The convention will be held in Bangor, Maine, featuring 601 delegates, with 500 coming from county elections.

Bangor Daily News - The convention will feature 601 delegates, with 101 coming from the Democratic State Committee.

Bangor Daily News - The convention will be held in Bangor, Maine, featuring 601 delegates, with 500 coming from county elections.

CNN - The convention will be held in Bangor, Maine.

Bangor Daily News - Voting took place in various counties including Cumberland, Penobscot, Kennebec, Hancock, and Franklin.

WHEN:

CNN - The convention to pick a new nominee is scheduled for July 25.

Bangor Daily News - The full delegate field will be set ahead of the July 25 convention in Bangor.

CNN - The convention to pick a new nominee is scheduled for July 25.

CNN - Platner dropped out of the race on July 10.

Bangor Daily News - The caucus day occurred on a Saturday, with eight counties voting on the following Sunday.

WHY:

CNN - Jackson aims to continue Platner's progressive political movement and has criticized Collins for her support of ICE.

CNN - Platner dropped out amid a series of scandals, including a rape allegation that he denies.

CNN - Jackson aims to continue Platner's progressive political movement and has criticized Collins for her support of ICE.

HOW:

Bangor Daily News - Jackson's delegate slate had almost no overlap with his three closest rivals, indicating strong organizational strength.

Bangor Daily News - Jackson's list shared only 10 to 20 names with any other single campaign, indicating a high level of organizational strength compared to his rivals.

Bangor Daily News - Jackson's delegate slate had almost no overlap with his three closest rivals, indicating strong organizational strength.

CNN - Jackson's campaign has appealed directly to Platner’s former supporters.

Bangor Daily News - The delegate selection process was described as rushed and hurried, with some confusion among candidates' slates.

(UPDATED July 19, 2026 22:11 UTC)

Jackson's delegate slate has made a strong showing, winning at least 290 of the first 319 delegates decided across the initial eight counties, including a remarkable sweep of 148 out of 149 delegates in Cumberland County. With about 94% of the available slots secured, Jackson's team demonstrated significant organizational strength, as their delegates had almost no overlap with his closest rivals. Looking ahead, eight more counties will caucus before the convention, where 601 delegates will gather in Bangor, Maine on July 25 to select a new nominee.

(UPDATED July 19, 2026 17:15 UTC)

Shenna Bellows has officially dropped out of the Senate race, leaving the field open for other candidates. In a strong showing, Jackson's delegates secured over ninety percent of the available slots during the county-level delegate selection, with his slate winning about ninety-four percent on the first day. The full delegate field will be finalized ahead of the July 25 convention in Bangor, which will feature 601 delegates, including 101 from the Democratic State Committee.

(UPDATED July 19, 2026 15:12 UTC)

Jackson's delegates made a significant impact during the first day of county-level delegate selection, securing about 300 of the 319 available slots, which puts him just 11 delegates shy of clinching the nomination after caucus day. His slate achieved an impressive 94% success rate, winning every slot in the three largest counties, including at least 148 of 149 delegates in Cumberland County and all 44 delegates in Penobscot County. As Jackson heads into the caucus weekend, he boasts the support of 670 delegate candidates, significantly outpacing his closest rivals, Nirav Shah and Shenna Bellows, who have 445 combined.

(UPDATED July 19, 2026 14:21 UTC)

Jackson has made significant strides in the delegate race, winning at least 290 of the first 319 delegates from the initial eight counties that voted this weekend, which amounts to about 94% of the available slots. His campaign's organizational strength is evident, as his list shares only 10 to 20 names with any other single campaign, highlighting his dominance over rivals. Looking ahead, eight more counties will caucus on Sunday, including York, Aroostook, and Oxford, as the race prepares for the full delegate field to be set ahead of the July 25 convention in Bangor.

(UPDATED July 19, 2026 06:46 UTC)

Jackson's campaign made a significant impact during the first day of county-level delegate selection, winning about ninety-four percent of the available delegate slots. After caucus day, he was just eleven delegates short of clinching the nomination, having secured at least twenty-two of twenty-three delegates in Hancock County and six of nine in Franklin County. Heading into the caucus weekend, Jackson boasts the support of six hundred seventy delegate candidates, far outpacing the four hundred forty-five backing both Nirav Shah and Shenna Bellows, with his slate showing almost no overlap with his closest rivals.

(UPDATED July 19, 2026 05:50 UTC)

Troy Jackson's campaign has made significant strides, winning about 300 of the 319 delegate slots available during the first day of county-level delegate selection, including at least 148 of 149 delegates in Cumberland County. The convention to select a new nominee is set for July 25 in Bangor, Maine, where Jackson will need this support to secure the nomination. Jackson aims to continue the progressive movement initiated by Graham Platner, who recently dropped out of the race amid scandals, as Jackson's campaign directly appeals to Platner’s former supporters.