Maine Democrats pick Senate nominee after Platner exit

According to CNBC, Maine Democrats are set to choose a new U.S. Senate nominee on Saturday to face Republican Sen. Susan Collins after Graham Platner quit the race following a sexual assault allegation. Former state Senate President Troy Jackson, a fifth-generation logger from northern Maine, has emerged as the favorite, with his campaign saying more than 480 of the 601 delegates expected at the Bangor convention are committed to support him. Platner won the Democratic primary in June but dropped out after a former girlfriend accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2021; he denied the allegation. Collins, who is seeking a sixth term, has described Jackson as too extreme and said his positions are in line with socialism. Her campaign filings show she has raised more than $16 million, while Jackson's campaign said it has raised more than $1 million since he entered the Senate race.