Maine Democrats to nominate Troy Jackson for Senate race

Logger and former state Senate president to challenge Collins

PORTLAND, Maine — Maine Democrats are expected to nominate former state Senate President Troy Jackson at a special convention in Bangor on Saturday, according to the Associated Press. Jackson would replace Graham Platner as the party’s nominee for U.S. Senate.

Jackson, a progressive Democrat, served as president of the state’s Democratic-controlled Senate and has been a fixture in Maine politics for many years, the AP reported. He is a fifth-generation logger from a rural, heavily Republican part of northern Maine.

The special nominating convention is being held after the end of primary winner Graham Platner’s campaign. Jackson is expected to secure the nomination Saturday, according to the AP.

If nominated, Jackson would have less than four months to campaign against Collins, who has been in the Senate for 30 years. The AP reported that the nomination process follows what it described as the implosion of Platner’s campaign.