In a move that bore striking similarities to the 2024 emergency coronation of former Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrat Party bosses in Maine hand-selected a new nominee to replace disgraced former U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner: Troy Jackson.
The party announced the decision on Saturday, saying that Jackson had been “formally” selected by the Maine Democratic State Committee — meaning that not a single Maine Democrat had cast a vote for him to be their nominee in that race.
WATCH:
Maine Democrats officially handpick socialist Troy Jackson to replace Graham Platner.
“The Maine Democratic State Committee formally selects Troy Jackson as the replacement nominee for…U.S. Senate.”
Troy Jackson received zero votes from Mainers. pic.twitter.com/x7ddUTQT8V
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 25, 2026
“The Maine Democratic State Committee formally selects Troy Jackson as the replacement nominee for the Maine Democratic Party’s candidate for U.S. Senate n the 2026 general election ballot.”
Maine Democrats’ Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson praised the move, claiming that it was just one more example of “democracy” working exactly as it should.
“Democracy, while sometimes really messy, is always, always worth fighting for…doing what is right is what us Maine Democrats will choose every damn time,” she said.
Maine Democrats’ Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson: “Democracy, while sometimes really messy, is always, always worth fighting for…doing what is right is what us Maine Democrats will choose every damn time.”
Not a single Mainer voted for Graham Platner’s replacement. pic.twitter.com/jgAoNJQcGG
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 25, 2026
A number of critics pointed out the similarities between Jackson’s rapid ascent and the vote-free installation of Harris as the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee, arguing that the party with an often-stated goal of “saving democracy” had very little interest in putting it into practice.
The Republican Party’s New England communications director Kristen Cianci called them out on X, sharing a post from Thursday marking two years from the day from that Harris had been gifted the presidential nomination.
“History is repeating itself in Maine. Troy Jackson will be crowned by @MaineDems this weekend without a single vote being cast. Just like Kamala, voters will reject him when they finally get their say in November,” she said.
History is repeating itself in Maine.
Troy Jackson will be crowned by @MaineDems this weekend without a single vote being cast.
Just like Kamala, voters will reject him when they finally get their say in November. https://t.co/HcSEHJja12
— Kristen Cianci (@kristencianci) July 23, 2026
Others, like the National Democratic Senatorial Committee, argued that Jackson offered little to no substantive difference compared to Platner.
“No tattoo. Same crazy,” the NRSC posted.
No tattoo, same crazy. pic.twitter.com/jfgTxXUNO7
— Senate Republicans (@NRSC) July 25, 2026
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