Troy Jackson Solidifies Position as Leading Democratic Senate Hopeful in Maine

WHO:

AP News - Nirav Shah, former director of Maine’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention, endorsed Jackson after dropping out of the race.

AP News - Dan Kleban, co-founder of Maine Beer Company, endorsed Jackson after withdrawing from the race.

AP News - Jordan Wood, a former congressional staffer, endorsed Jackson after suspending her campaign.

[9:41 AM EDT] - CBS News - Troy Jackson, 58, was a logger before entering politics and was elected to the state legislature in 2002, serving as president of Maine’s Senate from 2018 to 2024.

AP News - Our Revolution, a progressive organization founded by Sen. Bernie Sanders, has thrown its support behind Troy Jackson.

AP News - Troy Jackson, a former state legislator and president of Maine’s senate, is a leading Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine.

AP News - Graham Platner was the previous Democratic candidate who withdrew from the race.

AP News - Shenna Bellows, Maine’s Secretary of State, withdrew from the race.

AP News - Nirav Shah, former director of Maine’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention, dropped out and endorsed Jackson.

AP News - Dan Kleban, co-founder of Maine Beer Company, and Jordan Wood also endorsed Jackson.

WHAT:

AP News - Jackson's campaign claims to have secured 500 delegates committed to supporting him at the upcoming state convention, out of a total of 601 delegates.

AP News - The Democratic nominating convention is set to take place in Bangor.

AP News - Jackson's campaign stated that "it is turning its full focus toward defeating Senator Susan Collins," citing a "decisive advantage" during recent county-level caucuses.

AP News - Jackson's campaign reported that he has consolidated support from major unions and numerous state Democrats, and he has now locked down broad backing from the newly selected delegates.

AP News - Jackson's campaign claims to have secured 500 delegates committed to supporting him at the upcoming state convention, out of a total of 601 delegates.

CBS News - Jackson's campaign stated that "it is turning its full focus toward defeating Senator Susan Collins," citing a "decisive advantage" during recent county-level caucuses.

The Guardian - Jackson's campaign reported that he has consolidated support from major unions and numerous state Democrats, and he has now locked down broad backing from the newly selected delegates.

AP News - Jackson's campaign claims to have secured 481 delegates committed to supporting him at the upcoming state convention, out of a total of 601 delegates.

AP News - The Democratic nominating convention is set to take place in Bangor.

AP News - Jackson's campaign claims to have secured 481 delegates committed to supporting him at the upcoming state convention, out of a total of 601 delegates.

CBS News - The Democratic nominating convention is scheduled for July 25, and the state party has until July 27 to select a new nominee.

AP News - Jackson’s campaign claims to have secured 481 delegates committed to supporting him at the upcoming state convention, out of a total of 601 delegates.

AP News - The delegates will vote in Bangor on a new Senate nominee under a never-before-used system to replace Platner.

[9:41 AM EDT] - CBS News - Jackson's campaign secured hundreds of delegates who promised to back him at the convention, including all preferred delegates for Cumberland County.

[9:41 AM EDT] - CBS News - Jackson's endorsed slate won a majority of the 601 delegate slots that will determine the nominee.

[9:41 AM EDT] - CBS News - Jackson's campaign secured all of their preferred delegates for Cumberland County, Maine's most populous county.

[9:41 AM EDT] - CBS News - Jackson's endorsed slate won a majority of the 601 delegate slots that will determine the nominee.

[9:41 AM EDT] - CBS News - Jackson effectively locked up the nomination during the delegate selection elections over the weekend after candidates on his endorsed slate won a majority of the 601 delegate slots that will determine the nominee.

[9:41 AM EDT] - CBS News - Jackson stated, "I've been getting text messages all day about what a great job I did, and I didn't do a god damn thing. All of you just smoked it."

[9:41 AM EDT] - CBS News - Jackson's policy positions include support for Medicare for All, a tax on billionaires, the abolition of ICE, and a belief that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza.

AP News - Troy Jackson moved into a strong position to replace Graham Platner as the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine after several opponents dropped out.

AP News - Jackson’s campaign secured hundreds of delegates who promised to back him at the convention.

AP News - The Democratic nominating convention is scheduled to meet on July 25 to select a new candidate to face Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in November.

AP News - Jackson was previously unsuccessful in his bid to be the Democratic nominee for governor earlier in the year.

WHERE:

AP News - The Democratic nominating convention will take place in Maine.

WHEN:

AP News - The state party has until July 27 to formally choose Platner’s replacement for the general election ballot.

AP News - The Democratic nominating convention is scheduled for July 25.

AP News - The state party has until July 27 to select a new nominee.

[9:41 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Democratic nominating convention is scheduled for July 25.

[9:41 AM EDT] - CBS News - The state party has until July 27 to select a new nominee.

[9:41 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Democratic nominating convention is scheduled for June 25.

[9:41 AM EDT] - CBS News - The state party has until July 27 to select a new nominee.

AP News - The nominating convention is set for July 25.

WHY:

AP News - Shenna Bellows stated that Democrats didn’t have “a day to waste in unifying” around the goal of defeating Collins.

The Guardian - Jackson stated, "Those delegates were not handed to us. You know, we earned them because hundreds and hundreds of people organized their neighbors, made the calls, had the conversations."

AP News - Shenna Bellows stated that Democrats didn’t have “a day to waste in unifying” around the goal of defeating Collins.

ABC News - Wood stated, "I'm so proud to endorse my friend Troy Jackson... he has become a friend, someone I trust, someone that I know represents and will serve all people in Maine."

AP News - Shenna Bellows stated, "This didn’t happen because of one person. It happened because hundreds of volunteers put in the hours, knocked on doors, made phone calls, and believed we could build something bigger than ourselves."

[9:41 AM EDT] - CBS News - Shenna Bellows stated, "Democrats don't have a day to waste in unifying around that shared goal."

AP News - Shenna Bellows stated that Democrats didn’t have “a day to waste in unifying” around the goal of defeating Collins.

[9:41 AM EDT] - CBS News - Kleban stated that it had "become clear from the county nominating meetings that we lack a path forward."

AP News - Shenna Bellows stated that Democrats didn’t have “a day to waste in unifying” around the goal of defeating Collins.

AP News - Platner’s campaign collapsed after several women complained about his behavior, including an accusation of sexual assault from a former girlfriend.

HOW:

AP News - Jackson's supporters spent the weekend securing hundreds of delegates who promised to back him at the upcoming state convention, leading to an exodus of support from his opponents.

AP News - Jackson's supporters spent the weekend securing hundreds of delegates who promised to back him at the upcoming state convention.

AP News - Jackson's strength in the delegate selection process caused an exodus of support from his opponents.

AP News - Jackson’s campaign gained momentum as opponents withdrew, leading to an exodus of support for him.

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 02:50 UTC)

Jackson's campaign has announced that it has secured 500 delegates committed to supporting him at the upcoming Democratic nominating convention in Bangor, which has a total of 601 delegates. The campaign emphasized its focus on defeating Senator Susan Collins, citing a decisive advantage gained during recent county-level caucuses, and reported broad backing from major unions and state Democrats. Shenna Bellows highlighted the urgency for Democrats to unify quickly around this goal, as Jackson's supporters worked over the weekend to consolidate their delegate support, leading to a significant shift away from his opponents.

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 01:22 UTC)

Jackson's campaign has announced that it has secured 500 delegates committed to supporting him at the upcoming state convention, which is a significant portion of the total 601 delegates available. The campaign is now focusing on defeating Senator Susan Collins, citing a decisive advantage gained during recent county-level caucuses, and has consolidated support from major unions and state Democrats. Jackson emphasized that the delegates were earned through hard work, stating, "Those delegates were not handed to us; we earned them because hundreds and hundreds of people organized their neighbors, made the calls, had the conversations."

(UPDATED July 20, 2026 22:20 UTC)

Jackson's campaign is gaining momentum as he has secured 481 delegates committed to supporting him at the upcoming Democratic nominating convention in Bangor, which is scheduled for July 25. Notably, several key figures, including Nirav Shah, Dan Kleban, and Jordan Wood, have endorsed Jackson after withdrawing from the race, highlighting a significant shift in support. Shenna Bellows emphasized the urgency for Democrats to unify quickly, as the state party has until July 27 to select a new nominee and focus on defeating Collins.

(UPDATED July 20, 2026 20:22 UTC)

Troy Jackson's campaign has announced that it has secured 481 delegates committed to supporting him at the upcoming state convention, which is a significant step toward the total of 601 delegates available. The Democratic nominating convention is set for July 25, and the state party has until July 27 to select a new nominee. Jackson received a notable endorsement from Wood, who expressed pride in supporting him, highlighting Jackson's commitment to serving all people in Maine.

(UPDATED July 20, 2026 19:25 UTC)

Jackson's campaign has announced that it has secured 481 delegates committed to supporting him at the upcoming state convention, where delegates will vote in Bangor on a new Senate nominee using a never-before-used system to replace Platner. Shenna Bellows emphasized that this achievement is the result of the hard work of hundreds of volunteers who dedicated their time to knocking on doors and making phone calls. Over the weekend, Jackson's supporters focused on gathering the necessary backing from delegates to ensure his success at the convention.

(UPDATED July 20, 2026 17:24 UTC)

Troy Jackson, a former logger and Maine state legislator, has effectively secured the Democratic nomination for the upcoming election, having won a majority of the 601 delegate slots during the recent delegate selection elections. His campaign garnered hundreds of delegates, including all preferred delegates from Cumberland County, and the Democratic nominating convention is set for July 25, with the state party required to select a new nominee by July 27. Shenna Bellows emphasized the urgency for Democrats to unify around their shared goal, stating, "Democrats don't have a day to waste."

(UPDATED July 20, 2026 16:23 UTC)

Our Revolution, the progressive organization founded by Senator Bernie Sanders, has officially endorsed Troy Jackson, who has successfully secured all of his preferred delegates for Cumberland County, Maine's most populous area. Jackson's slate won a majority of the 601 delegate slots that will play a crucial role in determining the nominee for the upcoming Democratic nominating convention scheduled for June 25. This strong performance in the delegate selection process has led to a significant shift in support away from his opponents, as Shenna Bellows emphasized the urgency for Democrats to unify in their efforts to defeat Collins.

(UPDATED July 20, 2026 14:40 UTC)

Jackson has effectively secured the nomination after his endorsed candidates won a majority of the 601 delegate slots during the recent delegate selection elections. He expressed his surprise at the overwhelming support, stating, "I've been getting text messages all day about what a great job I did, and I didn't do a god damn thing. All of you just smoked it," while outlining his policy positions that include Medicare for All, a tax on billionaires, and the abolition of ICE. The state party has until July 27 to select a new nominee, as Kleban noted that it has "become clear from the county nominating meetings that we lack a path forward."

(UPDATED July 20, 2026 12:40 UTC)

Troy Jackson, a leading Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine, has gained significant momentum after several opponents, including Graham Platner and Shenna Bellows, withdrew from the race. With endorsements from Nirav Shah, Dan Kleban, and Jordan Wood, Jackson has secured hundreds of delegates who are set to back him at the Democratic nominating convention, scheduled for July 25, where he will aim to face Republican Senator Susan Collins in November. This shift in support follows troubling allegations against Platner, which contributed to the collapse of his campaign and underscored the urgency for Democrats to unify in their efforts to defeat Collins.