Troy Jackson is rapidly consolidating Democratic support in Maine's scramble to find a Senate nominee, forcing rival Shenna Bellows from the field on Sunday as party delegates prepared to gather at the state convention next week.
Bellows, the state's Secretary of State, announced her withdrawal while Democrats were casting ballots at a York County meeting to select delegates for the upcoming convention. "Donald Trump's attacks on our democracy are only accelerating, and the best way that I can serve our state and country at this moment is by focusing exclusively on my role as Secretary of State," she said in a statement released by York County Democratic Party Chairwoman Kathie Purdy.
The announcement sent a visible jolt through the crowd gathered at the performing arts center, underscoring the shifting dynamics of a race thrown into chaos last week when primary winner Graham Platner abruptly abandoned his campaign following allegations of sexual assault, which he has denied.
Jackson's organizational push proved decisive over the weekend. His slate of delegates captured nearly all available slots at Saturday's county meetings, though those delegates carry no binding obligation to support him at the convention. Still, the former state Senate President appeared confident about his momentum on Sunday morning.
"If we have a day like Saturday, the rest of the candidates will drop out and we'll just be getting the nomination next week," Jackson told reporters after rallying supporters outside the York County meeting. He claimed to have heard from a couple of other candidates offering their "congratulations" and said they had suggested ending their campaigns before the convention, though he declined to name them.
Physician Nirav Shah, a former Maine public health director who also ran in last month's gubernatorial primary, remains a significant rival. Shah's campaign did not immediately respond to Jackson's latest remarks, but a spokesperson indicated they would have more to say later.
Jackson has built his advantage through disciplined delegate organization, a tactical advantage for candidates who can quickly reactivate campaign infrastructure from previous races. Bellows and Shah both competed in the gubernatorial primary alongside Jackson before all three fell short of winning the nomination, then shifted focus to the Senate contest.
At least one competitor has vowed to stay the course. Jordan Wood, a former congressional staffer running for the Senate seat, told NBC News at the York County meeting that he intends to remain in the race through the convention. Wood raised concerns that Jackson's vocal support for Platner could become a liability in a general election, suggesting Republicans might weaponize those ties.
The special circumstances surrounding this nomination have compressed the usual timeline for vetting and building support. With Platner's exit removing a frontrunner from the race and the convention approaching, momentum and delegate organization have become critical. Jackson's success in Saturday's county meetings suggests he has effectively maneuvered those mechanics.
Delegates at next week's convention will ultimately choose who challenges GOP Senator Susan Collins in what is expected to be one of the nation's most competitive Senate races this fall.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Jackson's machine-like delegate operation this weekend was the real story, and Bellows' exit suggests others see the writing on the wall."
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