Progressive candidate Troy Jackson secured a strong majority of delegates during the first round of county meetings held by Maine Democrats on Saturday. The process aims to select a replacement for former nominee Graham Platner in the race against Republican Senator Susan Collins.
Jackson, a logger and former state Senate president from Allagash, dominated selections across eight counties. His supporters captured most of the 319 delegate slots filled that day, including a sweep in Cumberland County, which includes Portland.
The outcome followed intensive organizing by Jackson's union allies in the days after Platner withdrew from the race. Rivals including Nirav Shah and Shenna Bellows won only a small number of delegates.
Jackson addressed supporters at a Friday rally in Portland and later spoke to reporters in Augusta about the high stakes of the contest. Remaining delegates will be chosen on Sunday, with the full convention scheduled for next weekend.
