Troy Jackson clenches Democrat nomination for Maine Senate race, replacing Graham Platner

Troy Jackson clenched the Democrat nomination for the Maine Senate race, replacing Graham Platner, who suspended his campaign amidst scandals and allegations.

Jackson, a former Maine state senator, received 566 votes at the Democrat party’s state convention on Saturday, while his competitor, Saundra Pelletier, only received five votes. 

 

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

Former Senate hopeful Graham Platner, who faced numerous scandals during his campaign run, dropped out of the race following a rape allegation from an ex-girlfriend. Platner denied any such allegation, dismissing it as false, though he still withdrew from the race, purportedly because of the political reality of the situation.

 

A number of candidates threw their hats in the ring to replace Platner, including transgender-identifying candidate Ashley Webb, 

who gained fame online for last week’s debate performance, including listing “songwriting” as a qualification for the U.S. Senate.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) released a joint statement on Saturday about Jackson winning the nomination.

“Troy Jackson is a fifth-generation logger with a demonstrated ability to win. A champion for affordable health care and working people, Jackson has harnessed the grassroots energy in Maine and is well-position to defeat Susan Collins, who is more vulnerable than she has ever been,” the statement read.

 

Now that Jackson has gained the Democrat nomination, he is set to face off against Republican incumbent Susan Collins (R-Maine) for the seat in November.