Maine Democrats have selected Troy Jackson as their Senate nominee to challenge long-serving Republican Senator Susan Collins, after former candidate Graham Platner’s campaign collapsed amid rape allegations. The rapid replacement is significant because the contest is expected to be a high-stakes Senate race and because the nomination process has drawn criticism.

The decision was announced in Bangor, Maine, on Saturday. Fox News reported that Democrats had rallied behind Jackson, while the Maine Republican Party described the process as a “sham”; the article also indicated that Jackson faces fresh scrutiny.