No.

Maine law does not bar Troy Jackson from running for U.S. Senate in November because he sought the Democratic nomination for governor in June.

One statute prohibits filing for more than one federal, state or county office “at any election.” But it expressly exempts nominations to fill vacancies. The law allowed Democrats to choose a replacement for Graham Platner, who won the Senate primary, after he withdrew on July 10.

State Rep. James White, R-Guilford, called for an investigation into Jackson’s eligibility in a July 24 letter to the Secretary of State’s office.

In a July 31 response, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said the law White cited does not apply to replacement candidates, only those who file petitions to seek a seat.

“Republicans are so worried that Susan Collins is about to lose, they’re resorting to cheap tricks,” Jackson spokesperson BJ McCollister said of White’s letter.

This fact brief was updated on July 31 to include a response from the Secretary of State’s office.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

The Maine Trust for Local News partners with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. Read our methodology to learn how we check claims.

Sources

• Maine Revised Statutes: Primary required
• Maine Revised Statutes: General election candidates; vacancy
• WGME: Maine Republican claims Troy Jackson is ineligible to run for US Senate
• Maine Department of the Secretary of State: July 31 Letter to Rep. White Re: Senate Vacancy