Maine Democratic Senate nominee Troy Jackson and his longtime partner, Lana Pelletier, are second cousins who share the same great-grandparents, Thomas Pelletier and Edith Thibodeau, according to The Maine Wire.

The couple has raised two sons, Chace and Camden, though they never legally married. Maine does not recognize common-law unions, the outlet reported. Jackson previously described Pelletier as his “wife” in biographies but now refers to her as his partner.

Jackson secured the Democratic nomination on July 25, 2026, and will face Republican Senator Susan Collins in the November election, the Associated Press reported. Collins, 73, has characterized Jackson’s agenda as socialist.

Jackson assumed the nomination after Graham Platner, who won the June primary, withdrew following sexual assault allegations, NPR reported. The race is considered pivotal for Senate control, with Republicans committing over $42 million to defeat Jackson through the Senate Leadership Fund, the AP noted.

Jackson’s political career includes serving as a former Republican, entering the Maine state House as an independent in 2002, before joining the Democrats. He served as president of the Maine Senate from 2018 to 2024, The Hill reported. He also built his public image as a fifth-generation logger from Allagash.

Sources