Maine Democrats already have a new standard-bearer to contest one of the most watched seats heading into the next Senate elections. After the departure of Graham Platner, the party elected this Saturday the former leader of the state Senate, Troy Jackson, who will now seek to defeat Susan Collins, one of the best-known figures of the Republican Party.

According to information from NBC News, Jackson obtained overwhelming support during the Democratic convention, receiving 566 votes in favor and five against, far surpassing the other candidates.

A change of course for Democrats

The nomination came after Platner dropped out of the race after facing a sexual assault allegation, an accusation he has rejected. His departure forced the party to activate an expedited process to select a new candidate before the deadline set by Maine election law.

Jackson, 58, is a fifth-generation lumberjack and was president of the state Senate between 2018 and 2024. He also shares several of the progressive positions of independent Senator Bernie Sanders, whose presidential campaign he was part of in 2016.

During his acceptance speech he called for political mobilization: "Power is never simply given to the working class. We have to come together and take it."

A key race for the Senate

The battle in Maine is closely watched because it could influence the balance of forces in the Senate. Currently, Republicans control the chamber with 53 seats and Democrats need to make up ground to win the majority.

Jackson also arrives stronger financially. Her team reported that she has raised more than $1 million since she began her candidacy, although she still faces a wide gap compared to Susan Collins, who has more than $11 million for her campaign.

With the nomination already defined, the Democrats will seek to unify the party around Jackson to try to snatch a seat that they consider strategic, while Collins is betting on extending a career that includes five terms in the Senate.