Former state lawmaker and logger Troy Jackson has secured the Democratic nomination for US Senate in Maine after the party was left scrambling for a replacement following Graham Platner's withdrawal after a sexual assault allegation.

Delegates convened on Saturday for a special election where Jackson quickly steamed ahead as the most popular replacement after he gained national attention during his gubernatorial run, where he became a favorite among progressives. 

Jackson secured 566 of the 571 delegates who cast their votes. Despite his support, the newly minted nominee is already facing negative headlines and allegations for being 'hot-headed.' 

Earlier this week, sources spoke to CNN and the Washington Post, detailing a series of outbursts from Jackson, including one incident in which he was accused of throwing a water bottle during a meeting. 

Former colleagues of Jackson's during his tenure as the Maine Senate leader described his leadership style as 'very aggressive.' 

'It's one thing to be screaming when you're just mad about the world or sad about the world. But his screaming felt like intentional intimidation. So you would feel like, then, what else is he going to do?' one anonymous source told the Washington Post. 

The 'water bottle incident' has emerged as a potential flashpoint of Jackson's upcoming campaign.

Differing recollections have been recounted to the media. Sources told the Washington Post that the argument stemmed from a bill to lower prescription drug prices between Jackson and former State Senator Heather Sanborn. 

As the conversation became heated, Jackson 'threw' a water bottle. One source described his behavior as 'screaming and hollering,' throwing the bottle 'an inch from her nose.' 

However, State Senator Mark Lawrence and former State Senator Susan Deschambault disputed that recollection, acknowledging that Jackson was angry but denying that he threw the water bottle close to Sanborn. 

Jackson's campaign admitted to CNN that he tossed a water bottle during a heated confrontation but denied that it was thrown at anyone. 

'Troy Jackson is passionate and deeply invested in the people and policies he advocates for,' his campaign said in a statement. 

'Over 22 years in public office, there have been moments when he let his frustration get the better of him. When that happened, he took responsibility and apologized directly at the time.'

The Washington Post also detailed another interaction between Jackson and then-House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, which reportedly became so heated she kicked him out of her office after he cursed and banged on the table. 

However, a second person in the room said that Jackson did not slam his hand on the table or curse, clarifying that the two had a 'heated argument' about red-flag laws.

However, many of Jackson's colleagues stood up for him as a passionate lawmaker and as what the Democrats need to stand up to President Donald Trump.

'If everyone is happy with you all the time, you're not doing your job in politics… He doesn't run things like he's coddling in kindergarten,' Jennifer DeChant, another former state House Democrat who worked with Jackson, told CNN. 

Charlotte Warren, a former state representative, told the Washington Post that even though she also had a heated dispute with Jackson, the two later made up and she believed he would fight for Mainers if elected to the Senate. 

Democrats are placing heavy bets on Jackson, who has only 99 days to defeat longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins. 

Republicans have already launched an ad campaign against Jackson, accusing him of having a volatile temper and linking him to Platner. 

The Senate Leadership Fund, Republicans' super PAC, said it is committed to spending over $42 million against Jackson. 

Maine's Democratic primary was one of the early contests where progressives took on establishment-backed Democrats. 

Platner easily outlasted Governor Janet Mills, who was backed by Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer but dropped out before the June 9 primary. 

His popularity rapidly declined after a former girlfriend accused him of assaulting her in 2021. 

The allegation came after a string of scandals involving a past offensive tattoo, problematic Reddit posts and a pattern of concerning behavior with women in a New York Times report. 

Platner denied all sexual assault allegations and maintained that his past social media posts and tattoo came at a time when he was struggling with mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder from his time as a combat veteran.

The controversy surrounding him resulted in numerous withdrawals of high-ranking Democrats, and Platner ultimately suspended his campaign. 

Republicans began making the case Saturday that Jackson is too close to Platner, calling him a 'Platner apologist, a radical Bernie Bro, and a walking red flag displaying all the warning signs of the early days of the Platner campaign,' Republican National Committee spokesperson Kristen Cianci said in a statement. 

Jackson told reporters Saturday that he has not been in touch with Platner and is building a new movement.

He did not mention Platner from the stage during his two addresses, but said the campaign was 'bigger than any one person.'

'When the people in power refuse to listen, you have to organize, you have to stand in solidarity, together. And you have to make them listen,' Jackson said during his speech.

Jackson first ran for office as a Republican in 2000 when he sought a seat in Maine's House of Representatives. 

He lost but won two years later when he ran as an independent. He switched to the Democratic Party in 2004 and eventually became the Maine Senate president before leaving the statehouse in 2024.

Jackson came in third while running for governor in this year's Democratic primary, but had the backing of Platner and Our Revolution, the political organization founded by Sanders. 

Once Platner dropped out on July 10, a flood of former governor candidates, including Jackson, jumped to try to take his place. But by July 19, most had abandoned their bids, with Jackson emerging as the clear favorite.

Jackson has supported progressive positions such as Medicare for All. He also has called for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, whose presence in Maine has been hotly debated since an agent killed a driver in the state earlier this month. 

The Daily Mail has reached out to Jackson's campaign for comment.