Maine Democrats scramble to pick a Senate nominee after Platner exits
Following Platner’s sudden withdrawal, Maine’s Democratic Party has opened a two-week race among eight hopefuls to inherit his progressive coalition. Party leaders have stayed largely neutral, leaving the decision to a July 25 convention in Bangor that will select the nominee just before the state’s filing deadline. Former Senate President Troy Jackson has secured key labor and grassroots endorsements, while candidates such as Shenna Bellows, Nirav Shah and Jordan Wood also contend for the support of Platner’s former backers. Delegates from all 16 counties will meet this weekend to choose roughly 500 participants for the convention, where a majority vote will determine the final candidate.
Following Platner’s sudden withdrawal, Maine’s Democratic Party has opened a two-week race among eight hopefuls to inherit his progressive coalition. Party leaders have stayed largely neutral, leaving the decision to a July 25 convention in Bangor that will select the nominee just before the state’s filing deadline. Former Senate President Troy Jackson has secured key labor and grassroots endorsements, while candidates such as Shenna Bellows, Nirav Shah and Jordan Wood also contend for the support of Platner’s former backers. Delegates from all 16 counties will meet this weekend to choose roughly 500 participants for the convention, where a majority vote will determine the final candidate.