Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) said Democrats can win the Maine U.S. Senate race with Troy Jackson as their candidate.
The shift in candidates comes at a critical juncture for the party as they attempt to unseat Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins. The replacement reflects a strategic pivot to ensure the Democratic nominee is viable and fully vetted before the general election.
Kelly said during an interview on Meet the Press in June 2026 that Graham Platner was removed from the ballot. Kelly said Platner was not vetted well enough to maintain his position in the race. He said Jackson is a strong candidate who can beat Sen. Collins.
Prior to the nomination of Jackson, the Democratic field appeared unstable. Reports indicated that seven Democrats had expressed readiness to take Platner's place [1]. Platner had previously appeared at a rally in Portland on May 25, 2026 [2], alongside U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Jackson, who was then a gubernatorial candidate [2].
Following the selection of Jackson as the sole Democratic nominee, the campaign entered a 101-day sprint to Election Day [3]. While some analysts suggest Jackson lacks the profile of a charismatic outsider, others believe he is the right person to lead the party to victory in the state [4].
Jackson now faces the task of consolidating party support, and expanding his appeal to independent voters in Maine. His candidacy represents the party's final attempt to flip the seat in this election cycle.
“"Troy Jackson is a strong candidate who can beat Republican Senator Susan Collins."”
The replacement of Graham Platner with Troy Jackson highlights the high stakes of the Maine Senate seat and the Democratic Party's anxiety over candidate viability. By pivoting to Jackson, the party is prioritizing a vetted, stable candidate over the risks associated with Platner's background. The shortened campaign window puts immense pressure on Jackson to rapidly build name recognition to challenge a long-term incumbent like Susan Collins.
