Democrats have chosen a replacement for Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner after he suspended his campaign amid a sexual assault allegation. Jackson, 58, is a fifth-generation logger from northern Maine and a former president of the Maine Senate. A longtime lawmaker, he began his political career as a Republican before switching to the Democratic Party. Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks at his Primary Election event. Republicans are trying to compare Graham Platner with Troy Jackson.