Troy Jackson has been nominated as the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine, following a successful delegate election held over the weekend. Jackson received support from 17,279 voters, winning the majority of votes in 15 out of 16 counties, including all delegates in Cumberland County, which includes Portland. He secured over 90 percent of the delegates, as reported by the Prospect.
Jackson, a former state senator and third-place candidate for governor, is set to face incumbent Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming November election. His nomination was bolstered by the endorsement of his main competitors, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and public health official Nirav Shah, both of whom withdrew from the race on Sunday.
Jackson stated on social media that he believes Mainers will defeat Collins and reclaim the Senate seat. However, he starts the race with a significant fundraising disadvantage, trailing Collins by $11 million, not including additional funds from Collins's super PAC. Jackson's campaign has emphasized grassroots mobilization, leveraging a network of volunteers from his previous gubernatorial run.
The delegate selection process was characterized by a lack of external influence and focused on community engagement. Jackson's campaign received endorsements from various labor organizations, including the state AFL-CIO. The caucus system allowed Jackson to demonstrate his ability to connect with voters despite the financial challenges he faces in the election.