It’s Official: Here’s Who Democrats Chose To Replace Graham Platner In Senate Race

Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson formally clinched the Democratic nod to take on Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) in November, giving the party just 100 days to quickly turn the tides in the must-win race.

Jackson handily won on Saturday with 566 votes during the Democratic nomination convention in Bangor, Maine. His only challenger, biopharmaceutical executive Saundra Pelletier, nabbed the remaining five votes.

“This is the absolute honor of my life to accept the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate,” he said to cheers.

“I will spend every day now through November earning that trust,” Jackson vowed to his supporters.

Democrats in the state largely consolidated around the former state senator ahead of the convention to replace scandal-ridden Graham Platner, who exited the race earlier this month. The contest, which Decision Desk HQ and Cook Political Report rate as a toss-up, could prove decisive in the party’s chances of clinching the upper chamber this fall.

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Maine Democrats officially handpick socialist Troy Jackson to replace Graham Platner.

"The Maine Democratic State Committee formally selects Troy Jackson as the replacement nominee for…U.S. Senate."

Troy Jackson received zero votes from Mainers. pic.twitter.com/x7ddUTQT8V

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 25, 2026

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Dems don't care what their constituents think (if they even have any left that think of their own free will). They throw out their primary elected candidates and choose insider people like they are old bath water – or maybe old farts called Joe Biden.

— Palmerizer (@Palmerizer2) July 25, 2026

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Troy Jackson — who did not receive a single vote from Mainers — tries to rally the crowd. pic.twitter.com/VcBPfoqYnh

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 25, 2026

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While Jackson quickly raised over $1 million for his burgeoning Senate campaign and coalesced party support, there are some potential warning signs.

Following reports this past week digging into Jackson’s alleged temper and workplace conduct, reported claims of mortgage improprieties as well as other potential liabilities including his past strict anti-abortion stance, there are concerns by some in the party that following the Platner implosion, Democrats have landed another unvetted nominee.

“This is a bit of a rocket vetting process,” a Democratic strategist who works on Senate races, who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely, told Fox News Digital. “Maine Democrats have seemingly made their choice and they’re just going to have to ride with it.”

A veteran Democratic consultant who also asked for anonymity said that “it’s very clear that Democrats should not be looking to Maine to flip the Senate.”

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Troy Jackson is a dangerous, scandal-plagued political insider with a history of berating his colleagues, conflict with women, and mortgage fraud.

It’s no wonder disgraced candidate Graham Platner ranked Jackson as his top choice to lead Maine.

Watch SLF’s first ad in Maine

pic.twitter.com/Yf78asmsyX

— Senate Leadership Fund (@Senate_Fund) July 25, 2026

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