Former Maine state Sen. Troy Jackson emerged as the front-runner for the Maine Democratic Senate nomination on Sunday after securing the backing of a majority of state delegates ahead of next weekend’s state convention. His two main opponents, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and former public health official Nirav Shah, both ended their campaigns on Sunday, further solidifying Jackson’s status as the likely nominee.
“While they are not legally bound to support him, nearly two-thirds of the 601 delegates have committed to voting for Jackson at the statewide convention,” Politico reported on Sunday afternoon. Bellows announced her exit from the race just minutes before voting began early Sunday morning, saying, “The most important thing we can do in this moment is to unite to defeat Susan Collins.”
“Donald Trump’s attacks on our democracy are only accelerating,” the statement said, “and the best way I can serve our state and country at this moment is by focusing exclusively on my role as Secretary of State. This has been an unprecedented nominating process, compressed into days instead of months, and I’m grateful to every volunteer who worked around the clock for this movement. That energy is exactly what we need to beat Susan Collins in November — and Democrats don’t have a day to waste in unifying around that shared goal.”
Rank-and-file Democrats met in high school gymnasiums and local community centers throughout the weekend in county-level meetings where participants voted to elect delegates. The nominating convention will occur next Saturday in Bangor, when the 601 delegates will have until 5 p.m. on July 27 to select the new nominee.
Jackson, a logger from northern Maine, has the support of organized labor and was endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) when he ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for governor.
Maine Democrats have had to scramble to replace former candidate Graham Platner, who dropped out of the race earlier in the month after allegations of sexual assault surfaced, which he denies. His campaign had long been marred by other controversies, including since-deleted social media posts, allegations of infidelity, and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol. Jackson has adopted much of Platner’s populist platform, arguing in favor of Medicare for All while running on an anti-Israel and anti-ICE platform.
Shah announced he was dropping out shortly before 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, similarly citing a need for Maine Democrats to rally around their preferred candidate to defeat entrenched incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). Widely seen as Jackson’s biggest competitor in the race, Shah deciding to drop out after the weekend’s events all but shores up Jackson’s status as the nominee.
“To Maine Democrats: Susan Collins will not be defeated without a unified Democratic Party,” his announcement said. “And we cannot unite without treating one another with respect. No matter whom you supported in this race, I urge us all to remember that in the weeks ahead.”
Bellows made headlines in 2023 when she attempted to remove then-presidential nominee Donald Trump from Maine’s 2024 presidential primary ballot. Bellows has also voiced support for Medicare for All and said she would back a freeze on property taxes if elected.
A debate was held on Thursday night featuring all the Democratic candidates. The eventual winner will face off against Collins in November in what is a crucial Senate race for Democrats hoping to retake the upper chamber.