Troy Jackson gains delegate support as Shenna Bellows exits Maine Senate race

Shenna Bellows has left the race to become Maine's Democratic Senate candidate. She dropped out on Sunday, saying she wants to focus on her job as secretary of state. She also said Democrats need to work together to beat Republican Senator Susan Collins.

Her departure leaves Troy Jackson as the clear frontrunner. Jackson, a progressive politician who once led the Maine State Senate, has won strong support from local delegates. The Democratic Party chose this delegate system because its previous nominee, Graham Platner, withdrew this month after a rape accusation, which he has denied.

Next week, 601 delegates from across Maine will meet at a statewide convention. A candidate must win more than half of those delegates to become the official nominee.