Troy Jackson’s allies won the vast majority of delegates selected Saturday, taking more than 90% of the 319 slots up for grabs, including all 149 slots in Cumberland County, party officials and county organizers said.
Quick results and delegate tally — Troy Jackson leads
Delegates aligned with Troy Jackson captured more than 90% of the 319 contested slots selected Saturday, according to party officials and local organizers. The early returns give Jackson a dominant share of the roughly 500 delegates being picked across Maine over the weekend.
Jackson posted a brief thank-you video Saturday night and his campaign framed the haul as a decisive step toward the Democratic nod to challenge Sen. Susan Collins.
Cumberland County sweep
Cumberland County — home to Portland and Maine’s largest population — delivered all 149 slots to Jackson-aligned delegates, county organizers said. Local volunteers described brisk precinct meetings and a focused ground operation that prioritized recruiting committed delegates.
“We worked precinct by precinct to make sure supporters were elected as delegates,” a Portland organizer said, summarizing the county effort. Organizers emphasized turnout at local meetings and targeted training for delegates and alternates.
How the math sets up the Bangor nominating convention
Maine will send roughly 500 delegates chosen this weekend to the state nominating convention. Those selected delegates will join about 101 automatic delegates from the Democratic State Committee for a reported total near 601 delegates in Bangor next Saturday.
With Saturday’s strong showing, Jackson needs a smaller share of the remaining delegates to secure a majority at the convention, though final totals can still shift while county selections conclude.
Where other contenders stand
Nirav Shah secured only a small number of delegates Saturday, according to local tallies. Shenna Bellows and Jordan Wood trailed further behind in delegate counts reported from the day’s contests.
Graham Platner dropped out earlier this month after a news report included an allegation of rape; that claim is reported as an allegation and Platner denied it, then stepped aside. His exit appears to have reshaped the contest and helped consolidate much of the progressive delegate infrastructure behind Jackson, party operatives say.
Jackson’s platform and backers
Jackson runs on a progressive, populist platform that includes taxing billionaires, backing Medicare-for-all, advocating changes to federal immigration enforcement and opposing certain foreign policy stances. His positions have drawn support from groups like Our Revolution and align with elements of the progressive movement nationally.
Jackson has positioned his campaign as continuing a push for economic and health-care reforms targeted at working-class voters.
By the numbers
- 319 slots contested Saturday; Jackson-aligned delegates won more than 90% (party officials and organizers reported).
- 149 slots: Cumberland County sweep for Jackson-aligned delegates (county organizers reported).
- 500 delegates: estimated total being chosen across Maine this weekend.
- 101 automatic delegates: Democratic State Committee members who will vote in Bangor.
- 601 total: combined estimate of selected and automatic delegates for the Bangor convention next Saturday.
What comes next
Maine’s eight remaining counties are set to select about 181 delegates on Sunday. Those results will finalize the voter-selected delegate tally ahead of the Bangor convention.
Next Saturday in Bangor, the full slate of roughly 601 delegates will vote to determine the Democratic nominee who will face Sen. Susan Collins. While Saturday’s sweep gives Jackson a clear advantage, late returns and county-level contests could still alter margins before delegates gather.
Questions voters are asking
Local activists said they will keep recruiting and training alternates and delegates through the week, noting that delegate selection is an active process where continued organizing can change outcomes up to the convention.
FAQ
How many delegates did Troy Jackson win this weekend?
Jackson-aligned delegates won more than 90% of the 319 slots selected Saturday, including all 149 slots in Cumberland County, according to party and county officials. Exact individual-aligned totals will be clearer after the remaining county contests conclude.
Does Jackson have enough delegates to secure the nomination?
Jackson’s strong showing puts him within reach of a majority among the roughly 601 delegates who will vote in Bangor, but 181 delegates remain to be selected in eight counties on Sunday. The convention vote will be the final determinant.
What happened to Graham Platner and did it affect the race?
A recent report included an allegation of rape against Graham Platner; that is an allegation and Platner denied it before stepping aside. His departure appears to have redistributed progressive support and organizational capacity, which has helped Jackson consolidate delegates, organizers say.
Source attribution
Reporting and initial delegate counts in this article draw on Fox News’ coverage and local county reporting. Source: Fox News — Platner-ally Troy Jackson closing in on Democratic Senate nod in key race to face Collins. Claims about county results are attributed to county organizers and party officials where noted.
