Maine Democrat Files Senate Candidacy Papers as Rival Faces Rape Allegations

Troy Jackson filed a Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday. The move positions him to enter the U.S. Senate race if the Democratic nomination becomes available. Graham Platner faces mounting pressure to end his campaign after rape allegations surfaced Monday. Prominent Democratic leaders have withdrawn their support and urged him to step aside.

Maine law, Platner has until Monday, July 13, 2026, to withdraw if Democrats hope to replace him on the November ballot. If he steps aside before the deadline, the state Democratic Party will have until July 27, 2026, to choose a new nominee. Jackson, who lost the Democratic gubernatorial primary weeks ago, signaled interest in the Senate race by filing the federal paperwork.

He later posted on social media that he has not yet decided whether to seek the nomination.

Platner ran closely aligned progressive campaigns and appeared together at events throughout the 2026 election cycle. Both received backing from Sen. Bernie Sanders. Following the allegations against Platner, the progressive organization Our Revolution withdrew its endorsement of Platner and instead backed Jackson.

The group had previously endorsed Jackson during his gubernatorial campaign. "We have days, not weeks, to make sure a real progressive is on this ballot," Our Revolution Executive Director Joseph Geevarghese said in a statement. Jackson spent more than two decades in the state Legislature, including six years as president of the Maine Senate before leaving the post in 2024.

He represented northern Aroostook County and won repeated elections in a region that has supported President Donald Trump by double-digit margins in recent presidential elections.