Troy Jackson wins Maine Democratic Senate nomination, keeps mum on Israel, AIPAC

Troy Jackson secured the Democratic nomination for Maine’s US Senate race on Saturday, winning in a landslide 566 to 5 vote by delegates. Jackson, who will face incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the general election, did not mention Israel in his acceptance speech, despite previously embracing the term “genocide” to describe Israel’s war in Gaza and calling for an end to US military aid to Israel on his campaign website. His challenger, Saundra Pelletier, however, criticized Collins' voting record on Israel, stating, “She voted to increase federal funding in defensive arms for Iran, and did not vote to take moderate measures to hold Netanyahu accountable.” Jackson's victory follows the withdrawal of the state’s former Democratic nominee, Graham Platner, amid a sexual assault allegation. While some Jewish voters expressed concern over Jackson's evolving stance on Israel, others, like delegate Ronna Lugosch, were impressed by his focus on “working people and organizing.”