Senate Candidate Troy Jackson Faces Scrutiny Over Family Connection

Lana Pelletier, the longtime partner of Maine Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson, has raised questions in the midst of a crucial Senate race. Reports suggest that Pelletier might be Jackson’s second cousin. The claim surfaced in The Maine Wire on July 30, referencing genealogical records indicating shared great-grandparents. The National Republican Senatorial Committee disseminated parts of this report. However, the purported genealogical connection remains unverified due to the absence of publicly accessible birth, marriage, or genealogical records.

Who Is Troy Jackson?

Troy Jackson, a fifth-generation logger from Allagash, northern Maine, has served as Maine Senate president. His campaign focuses on his advocacy for workers’ rights while positioning him as the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate. Jackson entered the 2026 Senate race after being chosen as the party’s nominee on July 25, challenging Republican Senator Susan Collins in the November election.

Who Is Lana Pelletier?

Lana Pelletier, Troy Jackson’s partner for many years, shares two sons with him, Chace and Camden, as revealed by The Maine Wire. They attended Fort Kent High School as high-school sweethearts. Pelletier was identified as an immediate family member in Jackson’s 2019 financial disclosure to the Maine Ethics Commission, which mandates disclosure of certain incomes relating to a spouse or domestic partner and dependents.

In her testimony to the Maine Legislature in April 2023, Pelletier presented herself as a social worker and described her battle with smoking, which she overcame when becoming a mother. She campaigned for a ban on flavored tobacco products and highlighted the impact of addiction on families. Despite public references to Pelletier as Jackson’s wife over the years, The Maine Wire reported no available marriage license.

What Do the Genealogical Records Say?

The Maine Wire reported that Jackson and Pelletier share great-grandparents, Thomas Pelletier and Edith Thibodeau Pelletier. Their daughter, Albertine Pelletier O’Leary, was Jackson’s grandmother, whereas their son, Louis A. Pelletier Sr., was Pelletier’s grandfather. This kinship makes Jackson’s mother and Pelletier’s father first cousins, hence Jackson and Pelletier second cousins. The article referred to genealogical records but didn’t publish them.

Maine law permits second cousin marriage, while restricting marriage between closer relatives, such as siblings and direct ancestors or descendants. First cousins need genetic counseling confirmation from a physician before marriage.

How Close Is Maine Electoral Race?

The Senate race in Maine is highly competitive. RealClearPolitics reports a poll average showing Jackson leading by a narrow margin of 1.3 points, securing 48.6 percent against Collins’ 47.3 percent. This contentious campaign has drawn attention due to its potential role in shaping control of the U.S. Senate.

Jackson’s campaign emphasizes his logging heritage, union support, and critiques of Washington’s preference for affluent individuals and large corporations over working families.