Updated
Updated · Press Herald · Jul 18
Hancock Democrats Pick 23 Delegates, Giving Jackson 22 Allies in Maine Senate Reset
Updated
Updated · Press Herald · Jul 18

Hancock Democrats Pick 23 Delegates, Giving Jackson 22 Allies in Maine Senate Reset

3 articles · Updated · Press Herald · Jul 18

Summary

  • Roughly 750 Hancock County Democrats chose 23 delegates for next weekend’s Bangor convention to replace Graham Platner, with 22 winners identified by Troy Jackson as allies.
  • The hurried process followed Platner’s exit under intense party pressure after a rape accusation he denies, leaving Democrats to replace their June primary winner against Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
  • Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah and Jackson all worked the Ellsworth meeting, while some voters and delegate candidates said the slate-driven, multistep system sidelined undecided Democrats.
  • Ballots went digitally to 784 voters, many offsite, as Hancock Democrats mixed grief over Platner’s downfall with concern about whether any replacement nominee can unseat Collins in a race tied to Senate control.

Insights

With a nominee chosen in days instead of months, can a competitive statewide campaign be built in time?
How will a new diversity mandate for delegates shape the outcome of the emergency nominating convention?