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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

These Maine Democrats could run to replace Platner in Senate race

Jackson announced his candidacy as Democrats consider who will replace Graham Platner on the ballot.

These Maine Democrats could run to replace Platner in Senate race
Image · WMUR

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Outlet credibilityWMUR76/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 4, 2026
WMUR
Jul 9, 2026
tl;dr

Graham Platner said he was suspending his Maine Senate campaign, prompting Democrats to consider alternatives before the party’s July 27 deadline. Troy Jackson, Nirav Shah and Dan Kleban announced candidacies, while Shenna Bellows was among the other possible contenders.

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

People in this story

SWIPE →

Democratic candidate for the Maine Senate nomination

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Nirav Shah
D · ME

Democratic candidate for the Maine Senate nomination

Shah's version of this story ↗
Dan Kleban
D · ME

Democratic candidate for the Maine Senate nomination

Kleban's version of this story ↗

Potential Democratic candidate for the Maine Senate nomination

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

Republican senator and the prospective Democratic nominees’ opponent

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose administration appointed Shah to a senior CDC post

Bernie Sanders
I · VT · SEN

Senator who campaigned alongside Jackson and Platner

Democratic nominee who said he was suspending his Senate campaign

Maine governor and former 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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