The Maine Democratic Party has selected Troy Jackson as its new Senate nominee after Graham Platner suspended his campaign due to a sexual assault allegation. Jackson was chosen during a party meeting on Saturday and will run against incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins, who has held her position for 29 years. Jackson expressed his gratitude for the nomination, stating it is an honor. He is a fifth-generation logger and former president of the Maine Senate, having previously run for governor earlier this year.
Platner, who won the Democratic nomination last month, suspended his campaign following allegations from Jenny Racicot, who accused him of rape stemming from an incident in 2021. In response to the allegations, Platner released a video denying the claims and announcing his campaign suspension.
Republicans have begun targeting Jackson with attack ads, attempting to link him to Platner. The Senate Leadership Fund, a Republican super PAC, has committed over $42 million to oppose Jackson. Collins has criticized Jackson, labeling him a "Bernie Bro" due to his past support for Senator Bernie Sanders. Jackson aims to present his campaign as a grassroots movement ahead of the upcoming election in November.