By Lauren McCauley | Editor
“People are ready for change. For me, I think that’s what a lot of the excitement in the primary was about. Troy’s been in the same fight for a long time.” - Morgan Urqhart of Bangor, on Democratic voters getting behind Troy Jackson after Graham Platner’s departure from the U.S. Senate race.
Troy Jackson speaks to delegates ahead of becoming the official Democratic U.S. Senate nominee at the convention in Bangor on July 25, 2026. (By Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star)
ELECTION 2026
By Emma Davis
Troy Jackson’s domination of the quasi-improvised process that the Maine Democratic Party raced to pull together in the days after Graham Platner’s late exit was on full display Saturday, as Jackson secured the votes of 566 delegates, many of whom began chanting “Troy” before voting began.
GOVERNMENT
By Emma Davis
Maine ended another year with a general fund surplus, allowing the state’s rainy day fund to again reach its statutory cap and helping to fill a transportation funding gap that had halted projects earlier this summer.
ELECTION 2026
By David Lightman, States Newsroom
The growing presence of partisans creates the possibility of even more conflict in the November midterm elections, voting rights advocates worry. They fear confusion between the two groups will contribute to an ongoing breakdown of voter trust in the process.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
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Trump imposes new host of tariffs on trading partners, alleging they use forced labor | Ashley Murray, States Newsroom
States challenge Trump’s move to tie disaster aid to election, immigration policies | Dana Difilippo, New Jersey Monitor
Rogue puffins visit NH to source snacks, but breeding colonies unlikely for the Granite State | Molly Rains, New Hampshire Bulletin
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