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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

These Maine Democrats could run to replace Platner in Senate race

Jackson announced he would run for the Democratic Senate nomination and discussed the challenges of the compressed campaign timeline.

These Maine Democrats could run to replace Platner in Senate race
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This article1 analysis · Oct 4, 2026
KCCI
Jul 9, 2026
tl;dr

With Graham Platner suspending his campaign, Maine Democrats are weighing alternatives to challenge Sen. Susan Collins, and the state party has until July 27 to select a nominee. Troy Jackson, Nirav Shah and Dan Kleban have announced Senate bids, while Shenna Bellows is also discussed as a possible contender.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Troy Jackson D · ME
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Jackson in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Jackson’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

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Democratic Senate candidate

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Dan Kleban
D · ME

Democratic Senate candidate

Kleban's version of this story ↗

Possible Democratic Senate contender

Bellows's version of this story ↗
Nirav Shah
D · ME

Potential Democratic Senate nominee

Shah's version of this story ↗
Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Republican senator and potential Democratic nominee’s opponent

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

Former presidential candidate whose 2024 ballot eligibility Bellows challenged

Bernie Sanders
I · VT · SEN

Senator who campaigned alongside Jackson and Platner during Jackson’s gubernatorial run

Outgoing Democratic Senate nominee

Governor and former preferred Democratic Senate candidate

ALSO MENTIONED  Hannah Pingree, Winner of this year’s gubernatorial election; Valli Geiger, Maine state representative whom Platner encouraged to consider running

Part of a bigger story

27 OUTLETS
Maine Democrats Prepare to Select Graham Platner’s Replacement

Outlets agree Graham Platner suspended his Senate campaign and Maine Democrats are considering a replacement; Troy Jackson has announced a bid for the nomination. Left-leaning outlets focus on balancing appeals to Platner’s supporters with distinctions from him. Center outlets mostly map Jackson’s bid among other contenders and the party’s nomination process. Right-leaning outlets cast the replacement effort as Democratic dysfunction and scrutinize Jackson’s credibility and political backing.

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