11 Jul 2026 Senate Nominating Convention Process
As promised, we are committed to keeping everyone informed as this process unfolds. We now have considerably more information than we did yesterday. Apologies in advance for the number of links below, but the Maine Democratic Party has released a substantial amount of information, and we want to make sure everyone has access to the official guidance.
The Party’s central information page, including the official Call to Convention and other guidance documents, is available here:
1. County Delegate Selection Meeting
Sagadahoc County will hold a meeting on Sunday, July 19th, at Mt Ararat High School, 68 Eagle Way, Topsham to elect delegates to the Democratic nominating convention. Doors will open at 1:00 P.M.
Sagadahoc County will elect 16 delegates and 2 alternates to the nominating convention. In addition, our four Democratic State Committee members will automatically serve as delegates.
A meet-and-greet period with delegate candidates will precede the actual selection process.
Following adjournment of this meeting, the Committee will reconvene to consider the nomination of Don Lawson-Stopps to fill the position of Register of Probate for Sagadahoc County and other nominations as may present themselves.
Because this meeting may run long, we suggest to please bring water and light snack (energy bars and such).
The Party is asking Democrats who plan to attend the county meeting to pre-register online so that counties can better plan for attendance. Pre-registration is not required but strongly encouraged as it will help organizers find a suitable venue. If you do not pre-register, you may still register in person immediately before the meeting begins.
The deadline for online pre-registration to attend the county meeting is Thursday, July 16, at 5:00 p.m.
Democrats enrolled in the Democratic Party as of June 9, 2026 and registered to vote in Sagadahoc County at the time of the county meeting and convention may pre-register here: (NOTE: THIS IS JUST PREREGISTRATION TO ATTEND THE MEETING.)
2. Becoming a Delegate
If you would like to be considered as a delegate to the Democratic nominating convention, the most important point is this:
Any registered Democrat who was enrolled in the Democratic Party as of June 9, 2026, is eligible to seek election as a delegate, provided they are registered in Sagadahoc County at the time of the county meeting and convention.
Unlike attending the meeting, you must declare your candidacy in advance if you wish to be considered to be a delegate. Delegate nominations will not be accepted from the floor.
The deadline to submit your delegate candidacy is Wednesday, July 15, at 5:00 p.m. The Party will verify eligibility and provide counties with the official list of qualified delegate candidates before the county meeting.
To become a candidate for delegate, you must complete the online Delegate Candidate form using this link.
The delegate selection process will be identical across every county in Maine. Sagadahoc County will not be adopting its own procedures or modifying the statewide rules. The objective is to provide every Democrat with the same fair, transparent opportunity to participate while ensuring that the nomination process is legally sound.
3. Voting for Delegates
One important question remains unanswered: exactly how voting for delegates will be conducted at the county meetings.
The Party has now released the qualifications and procedures for becoming a delegate, but additional guidance on the mechanics of voting at the county meetings is still being finalized. As soon as that information is available, we will pass it along.
4. Nominating Convention
The Democratic Nominating Convention will be held on:
Saturday, July 25 starting at 9am
Cross Insurance Center
Bangor, Maine
The convention will consist of 601 delegates from across Maine, proportionally representing every county together with Democratic State Committee members. Delegates will hear from the candidates before voting to select our Democratic nominee for the United States Senate. Following the convention, the Democratic State Committee will meet to certify the results.
If you are elected as a delegate, you should understand that attendance at the convention is required in person, and delegates are responsible for their own travel and any associated expenses. The meeting is expected to be a long one.
5. Candidates
As of this morning, we am not aware of any additional candidates beyond those who had already publicly expressed interest. In alphabetical order, the announced candidates are:
- Shenna Bellows
- David Costello
- Valli Geiger
- Troy Jackson
- Dan Kleban
- Andrea LaFlamme
- Paige Loud
- Nirav Shah
- Jordan Wood
Additional candidates could still enter the race before the filing deadline. Which is July 21st
As always, we will continue to share information as quickly as it becomes available. Thank you for your patience as we work through what is truly an unprecedented process for our party.
In solidarity,
Richard Kessler
Chair of the Sagadahoc County Committee