Maine Democratic Senate Candidate Troy Jackson Faces Report Over Family Relationship
Newly minted Democratic Senate nominee Troy Jackson is facing renewed scrutiny after a report revealed that he shares two adult sons with his second cousin, a relationship that is legal under Maine law but has quickly become a point of political controversy in the state’s closely watched U.S. Senate race.
According to genealogical records cited in the report, Jackson and his longtime partner, Lana Pelletier, are second cousins, sharing the same great-grandparents. The two were high school sweethearts in the small northern Maine town of Allagash and have remained together for decades, raising two sons. Although Jackson has previously referred to Pelletier as his wife in public, the couple has never legally married.
The relationship is legal under Maine law. State law prohibits marriages between relatives closer than first cousins, while first cousins may marry under certain conditions, including genetic counseling. Because Jackson and Pelletier are second cousins, their relationship does not violate Maine law.
The report surfaced just days after Jackson became the Democratic nominee to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins following the withdrawal of Graham Platner from the race. Jackson, a former president of the Maine Senate and longtime logger, was selected by Democratic delegates to replace Platner after allegations against the previous nominee upended the campaign.
Neither Jackson’s campaign nor the Maine Democratic Party immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the report. Republicans are expected to seize on the story as they seek to define Jackson early in the general election campaign, while Democrats continue working to unite behind their new nominee after weeks of political turmoil.
The latest controversy adds to what has already been a turbulent Senate race in Maine. With Democrats hoping to unseat Collins and Republicans defending one of their most important seats, both parties are preparing for an intense campaign that is likely to remain under heavy national scrutiny through Election Day.