BANGOR, Maine — Maine Democrats formally nominated progressive former state Senate leader Troy Jackson on Saturday, tasking him with an urgent mission: unseat five-term Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a compressed 100-day campaign that party leaders acknowledge will be an uphill battle.
The nomination came after Democrat Graham Platner abruptly exited the race earlier this month, leaving the party scrambling to find a replacement in a contest widely seen as a must-win for Democrats. Jackson, a former Republican who switched parties and rose to lead the Maine Senate, quickly consolidated support among county delegates in the weeks following Platner's departure.
“This is going to be a very close race,” said Tony Buxton, a former chair of the Maine Democratic Party. “Susan Collins has the advantage of incumbency and a vast amount of money. Troy has the advantage of being on the right side of the issues and having a record of Susan Collins that has changed over time.”
Party activists arrived at the convention visibly energized and angry, waving signs that read “No More Concerns,” “Retire Susan,” and “Troy Jackson for Maine.” The crowd cheered Jackson's calls to restore federal abortion protections and his support for LGBTQ rights. At one point, an attendee shouted “Abolish ICE!” during a moment of silence for a man killed in an immigration enforcement incident.
In his victory speech, Jackson accused Collins of abandoning Maine's interests in favor of corporate donors and wealthy allies. He specifically criticized her votes to confirm two Supreme Court justices nominated by former President Donald Trump who later helped overturn federal abortion protections. “Susan Collins promised she would only serve two terms,” Jackson said, referencing her 1996 pledge. “Thirty years later, she is still in Washington. Who has she served?”
Collins's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Despite the party's optimism, Democrats are realistic about the steep climb ahead. State Sen. Craig Hickman, a Democrat who served alongside Jackson, acknowledged Collins's effectiveness. “She's a tough incumbent to beat,” Hickman said. “And while she deserves some of the criticism she gets, she's also been very good for Maine.”
Jackson faces a massive fundraising gap. Collins ended the second quarter with $11 million in cash on hand, while Jackson had roughly $156,000 left over from his gubernatorial campaign. Buxton noted that while starting late is difficult, “polling shows that it's a competitive race.”
The campaign has already turned personal. The Washington Post reported that Jackson had a reputation for being abrasive during his time as Senate president, including an incident where he threw a water bottle and clashed with female legislative leaders. His campaign acknowledged heated moments but said Jackson apologized when they occurred. “Passion for the issues he advocates for should not be confused with physical intimidation or bullying,” adviser BJ McCollister told the Post.
Senate Republicans quickly seized on the reports. The Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with GOP leadership, released a 30-second ad calling Jackson “volatile” and linking him to the same controversies that dogged Platner.
Still, some Democrats see Jackson as a candidate who can tap into working-class frustration. A fifth-generation logger, he represents an earlier, more populist strain of the party. The compressed timeline means he must rapidly introduce himself to voters while countering attacks from a well-funded opponent.
Democrats view the Maine Senate race as a key pickup opportunity in their broader battle for control of the chamber. The party's national strategy includes flipping several Republican-held seats, and Maine is seen as one of the most promising targets. But with just over three months until Election Day, Jackson has little time to close the gap.
