Troy Jackson is likely to become the Democratic Senate candidate in Maine. He is a former leader of the Maine State Senate.

This is according to MSNBC and NPR. If nominated Jackson would challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins.

Democrats see this race as a must-win contest. They want to remove Collins from her Senate seat.

Jackson's rise comes after a change in plans. The previous candidate Graham Platner had a scandal-hit campaign.

Platner left the race after facing a sexual assault claim. He denied the claim.

Jackson is a fifth-generation logger. He is set to be chosen through a special delegate meeting.

The meeting happens this weekend in Bangor Maine. This method has never been used before for this race.

His campaign says over 480 of 601 delegates support him. The vote happens Saturday but the result is not final yet.

Other candidates dropped out including Shenna Bellows Nirav Shah and Jordan Wood. Most of them now support Jackson.

But Jordan Wood has raised concerns about Jackson's close ties to Platner. Some Democrats worry Republicans could use those ties against Jackson later.