As Maine Democrats hurried to select a new Senate candidate to replace Graham Platner, eight aspirants convened Thursday night for a debate that vividly illustrated the party’s difficulty in challenging Senator Susan Collins, the current Republican officeholder.
Planter’s sudden withdrawal following rape allegations has left Maine Democrats with a limited pool of contenders, many of whom have previously lost primary races for other positions or lack a conventional political résumé for a Senate bid.
The candidates are moving quickly through a shortened primary schedule that will end with a nominating convention on July 25, where about 600 delegates will select the nominee. The victor will immediately enter a contest widely regarded as decisive for control of Congress.
At a Portland television studio, each candidate emphasized their anti‑Trump credentials and outlined an extensive platform of progressive policies aimed at winning over Democratic primary voters.
Below are five key takeaways from the hastily organized debate, which required the candidates to be divided into two groups due to the large number of participants.
Maine Democrats Lack a Deep Talent Pool
During the debate’s opening hour, four principal candidates stood out, each having recently been defeated in Democratic primary contests for higher office in the state.
Troy Jackson, former State Senator; Shenna Bellows, Secretary of State; and Jordan Wood, a former congressional aide, all delivered halting, convoluted responses and appeared stilted, struggling to match the compelling rhetoric that Mr. Platner consistently displayed in his electrifying rallies.
Dr. Nirav Shah, the fourth candidate, who—like Jackson and Bellows—had also contested and lost the recent governor primary, leveraged his background as a senior federal public health official and the public face of Maine’s coronavirus response.
On Thursday, Dr. Shah provided the clearest answers to the moderators’ questions. Nonetheless, the moderators twice corrected his remarks about Ms. Collins, noting that she had opposed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s confirmation.
Dr. Shah displayed strong anger, stating, “I’m angry that a three‑year‑old girl will never see her father again,” in reference to the killing of Joan Sebastian Guerrero by a federal immigration agent on Monday in Biddeford, Maine.
Candidates Favor Platner’s Policies While Rejecting His Conduct
All candidates sought to balance admiration for Mr. Platner’s grassroots momentum and policy agenda with clear rejection of the conduct that led to his departure.
Jackson, for his part, highlighted Mr. Platner’s backing of “Medicare for All,” a position he has long endorsed.
Dr. Shah expressed approval of Mr. Platner’s long‑standing call to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Bellows declined to select a specific policy, noting that Mr. Platner “energized a movement that’s always existed.”
The sharpest response came from Mr. Wood, who had previously challenged Mr. Platner, later withdrew, and entered a congressional primary in Maine that he ultimately lost.
During the Senate primary, Mr. Wood was hesitant to label Israel’s war in Gaza a genocide.
He explained in detail how his perception of the term, when applied to Israel’s actions, had shifted following Mr. Platner’s influence.
“Graham entered the race declaring it a genocide, and I have learned that it is crucial at such times to draw clear moral lines,” Mr. Wood said.
Collins’s Voting Record Served as Both Target and Obstacle
The candidates repeatedly criticized Ms. Collins for supporting President Trump on several issues, painting her as out of touch with Maine’s Democratic-leaning electorate.
At times, however, Collins’s voting record created difficulties for the Democrats.
When discussing President Trump’s decision to order a military operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Ms. Bellows said, “What Susan Collins has failed to stop is a completely unstable foreign policy.”
Moderator Phil Hirschkorn asked, “Collins did vote for a war‑powers resolution to limit Trump’s actions in Venezuela in January, correct?”
Ms. Bellows replied, “Forgive me.”
She explained, “A week ago I was on vacation,” adding that after her gubernatorial campaign she never expected to pivot to a Senate race. “When I need facts, I will do my homework.”
ICE Became the Central Issue
The fatal shooting in Biddeford has brought immigration to the forefront of the race, prompting the candidates to denounce ICE’s presence in Maine.
“How many more people must die at the hands of Donald Trump’s masked marauders before we agree to abolish ICE?” Dr. Shah asked.
Ms. Bellows said the race largely centers on “getting ICE out of Maine.”
Mr. Jackson added that Ms. Collins “should have been able to stop ICE,” noting her role as chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee.
Daylight Saving Time Sparked a Rare Disagreement
Over the course of the hour, none of the four leading candidates attempted a serious direct attack on one another.
Even subtle policy disagreements were rare; on immigration, health care, and the economy, the candidates seemed largely aligned.
After Mr. Hirschkorn asked for proposals to cut government spending, Ms. Bellows responded, “I would end the war in Iran.”
Mr. Jackson followed, saying, “Yes, the war in Iran.”
As the moderators moved down the line, Dr. Shah and Mr. Wood expanded their answers beyond Iran, both citing what they described as wasteful foreign‑affairs spending.
The four leading candidates ultimately disagreed on daylight saving time: Dr. Shah and Mr. Wood advocated ending it, whereas Mr. Jackson favored retaining it.
Ms. Bellows said she was undecided.