Maine Democrats to pick Senate nominee at convention after candidate withdrawal

Maine’s Democratic state committee voted Wednesday night to select a replacement nominee for the U.S. Senate seat through a nominating convention rather than a caucus. The party has until July 27 to certify a candidate under state law. The decision followed the withdrawal of the previous nominee after an allegation of sexual assault.

Progressive organizations that had backed the withdrawn candidate are now seeking a successor who supports Medicare for All, a campaign without corporate donations, and an end to overseas military engagements.

Progressive groups back former state senate president Our Revolution announced Thursday that it is directing its organizing resources toward Troy Jackson, the former Maine state senate president who entered the race shortly after the withdrawal. The group’s executive director stated that the primary results reflected a mandate for those policy positions.

Congressman Ro Khanna of California and streamer Hasan Piker have both shifted their support to Jackson. The Maine chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America maintains an organizing relationship with Jackson’s campaign but has not issued a formal Senate endorsement.

Other candidates enter race Nirav Shah, former director of Maine’s center for disease control and prevention, announced his candidacy Thursday and stated he would not send aid to Israel. Additional candidates include Jordan Wood, state representative Valli Geiger, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, and Maine Beer Company founder Dan Kleban.

Maine People’s Alliance, a 32,000-member progressive organization, has not yet endorsed a replacement candidate. Jackson’s past votes against same-sex marriage in 2009 and restrictions on abortion have drawn attention, though he has since reversed those positions.

Centrist Democrats have described the withdrawal as an opportunity to support a more traditional nominee. A co-founder of the group Third Way stated that replacing the withdrawn candidate with a moderate Democrat would improve the party’s chances against the Republican incumbent seeking a sixth term.