Maine Democratic Senate hopeful Troy Jackson has raised $1 million in the two weeks since launching his campaign, underscoring the rapid consolidation of support behind his bid to challenge Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).
Jackson brought in $613,000 since Sunday after securing the backing of 601 state delegates ahead of this weekend’s Democratic convention, which will determine the party’s nominee to replace Graham Platner on the ballot. More than 90% of delegates have pledged to support Jackson.
Jackson’s campaign said it received 27,283 contributions from 24,669 individual donors, highlighting his broad grassroots support. A University of New Hampshire poll released Tuesday also showed Jackson emerging as the clear Democratic front-runner.
The wave of support followed a series of high-profile departures from the race. Former Maine health official Nirav Shah, beer brewer Dan Kleban, and former congressional candidate Jordan Wood all ended their campaigns over the weekend and endorsed Jackson.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows also withdrew from the race, though she has not endorsed Jackson. She said Democrats “don’t have a day to waste in unifying around that shared goal” of defeating Collins.
Maine Democrats opted to select their nominee through a delegate convention rather than a traditional primary to give multiple candidates a chance to compete. But county-level delegate elections demonstrated Jackson’s organizational strength early, with his supporters winning a majority of delegate seats ahead of the convention.
Jackson, one of the race’s most progressive candidates, was endorsed by the Maine chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America during his gubernatorial campaign. Like Platner, he also earned the backing of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
TROY JACKSON, AN ANTI-CORPORATE MAINE SENATE HOPEFUL, TOUTS ENDORSEMENTS FROM LOBBYISTS
“Our campaign has always been powered by ordinary Mainers — not corporate PACs or wealthy special interests, but neighbors organizing neighbors because they believe we deserve better,” Jackson wrote on social media Monday. “In November, we are going to defeat Susan Collins and reclaim our Senate seat.”
Despite the early momentum, Jackson faces a formidable general election opponent. Collins, a six-term incumbent, has raised more than $11 million for her reelection bid.