Democrat Troy Jackson Edges Susan Collins in Early Polling After Chaotic Maine Senate Nomination

Logger and former Maine state senate president Troy Jackson secured the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination on July 25, 2026, replacing Graham Platner, who withdrew after a sexual assault allegation he denied. Preliminary University of New Hampshire polling shows Jackson slightly leading five-term Republican incumbent Susan Collins — the only GOP senator seeking re-election in a state Kamala Harris won. Democrats need four seats to retake the Senate.