Democratic Field Narrows in Maine Senate Race as Two Rivals Exit

Troy Jackson emerges as front-runner to challenge Susan Collins after Shenna Bellows, Nirav Shah drop out

The Democratic primary to challenge Sen. Susan Collins in Maine narrowed sharply over the weekend after two candidates dropped out, clearing a path for former state Senate President Troy Jackson to become the front-runner, according to The Hill, Fox News and the Washington Examiner.

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows withdrew from the race Sunday. "Donald Trump's attacks on our democracy are only accelerating," she said in a statement announcing her exit, The Hill reported. A day later, former Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Nirav Shah also dropped out, after making his case to party delegates gathered in Augusta, according to The Hill.

Jackson, an ally of candidate Graham Platner, locked down a majority of Maine's Democratic delegates by Sunday, according to Fox News and the Washington Examiner, positioning him as the likely nominee heading into next weekend's state convention.

The rapid consolidation sets up what could be a competitive general-election test for Collins, a six-term Republican, as Maine Democrats move to unify behind a single challenger well ahead of next year's vote.

— Compiled from reporting by The Hill, Fox News and the Washington Examiner.