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In today’s edition, Sahil Kapur digs into what comes next for Democrats in the Maine Senate race. Plus, Rebecca Shabad and Frank Thorp V report on Darline Graham’s decision to seek a full Senate term.

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— Adam Wollner

Democrats avoid a messy fight in Maine, but uncertainty lingers

Analysis by Sahil Kapur

Less than two weeks ago, Graham Platner bowed to pressure in the wake of a sexual assault allegation and dropped out of Maine’s critical Senate race, leaving Democrats in shambles as warring factions hurled insults at each other.

But after one awkward debate and a weekend of local party meetings, Democrats quickly consolidated behind Troy Jackson, the former Maine Senate president, to replace Platner on the ballot, averting a divisive convention fight for the mantle to take on veteran Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

Jackson all but locked up the primary by dominating delegate selection contests across Maine through the expedited process set up by the state party to pick a replacement nominee by the July 27 deadline under state law. His superior on-the-ground organization and pro-union record made him the progressive favorite, including among Platner’s former supporters, but without alienating the party’s more centrist establishment wing.

Over the weekend, Democratic rivals Shenna Bellows, Nirav Shah, Dan Kleban and Jordan Wood all saw the writing on the wall and ended their campaigns, either giving Jackson a full-throated endorsement or vowing to help their nominee win this fall.

“There’s a huge relief that we’re not stuck with such a damaged candidate who has some severe personal failings and would have put a very important seat definitely in the Republican column,” said a national Democratic strategist involved in Senate races. “We all would have sat back and watched a slow-moving disaster come to a head.”

As for Jackson?

“He has been around a while and there are some mixed opinions on him,” said strategist, who spoke about the dynamics of the race on condition of anonymity, while adding that the deep-pocketed organs of the Democratic Party are likely to throw their full support to him “as long as everything continues to come out as a clean vet.”

The vetting caveat is important. Yes, Jackson is hardly unknown in Maine, having served for 20 years in the Legislature, including six years from 2018 to 2024 as president of the state Senate. But he has never faced the bright lights of a national stage like he’s about to.

And without the rigors of an extended primary campaign, it’s difficult to predict what might emerge — or what tens of millions of dollars in Republican money could do to his image. As a former vocal supporter of Platner, Collins’ allies and GOP groups are gearing up to link Jackson to him.

It’s a mixed bag for Democrats. Ten months ago, they would have been deeply uneasy with the thought of nominating a candidate without the full confidence of a thorough vetting. But 10 days ago, the situation they’re in today would have felt too rosy to be true.

“Eyes on the prize here. We want to beat Susan Collins,” the Democratic strategist said. “He’s more able to do that than Graham.”

Sen. Darline Graham will seek a full 6-year term after Trump urged her to jump into the race

By Rebecca Shabad and Frank Thorp V

Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., said she will seek a full term for the seat held by her late brother, Lindsey Graham, days after President Donald Trump urged her to jump into the race.

Darline Graham, who was appointed to serve the remainder of Graham’s term, said in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity that she will run in the Aug. 11 special primary election to appear on the November ballot.

“I’ve been praying a lot, talking to my family. But with the love of my family, with the support of his staff, I know I’m a hard worker. I learned that from Lindsey. He cared about the people of this state. I’ve worked for almost 30 years for the people of this state,” she said. “I feel like I can do it. I feel an inner peace about it. Will it be difficult? Yes, absolutely.”

But Trump’s endorsement hasn’t prevented other South Carolina Republicans from vying for the seat: Reps. Russell Fry and Ralph Norman and businessman Mark Lynch have also announced plans to run. The filing deadline is July 28.

Read more →

Iran war update: Gas prices rise as attacks intensify

Experts warned the conflict between the United States and Iran is spiraling, as a deadly and expanding exchange of strikes over the weekend appeared to decimate the interim deal between the two nations, Chantal Da Silva writes.

The fight over control of the Strait of Hormuz intensified in the last 72 hours and it included attacks on civilian infrastructure and shipping, leaving the Middle East on the verge of an all-out war again.

“We hit them very hard again,” President Donald Trump said last night, adding that the strikes had been carried out “in honor” of the three U.S. service members confirmed killed in the renewed fighting.

Gas prices: The national average price for regular gasoline hit $4 per gallon again today as the renewed conflict with Iran and Ukraine-Russia attacks rattle energy markets, Steve Kopack reports.

It’s the first time that the national average has been at $4 or higher since June 17.

That’s all From the Politics Desk for now. Today’s newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner and Annelise Hanson.

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