Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Troy Jackson has two children with his second cousin, Lana Pelletier, as indicated by genealogical records reported by journalist Steve Robinson. Jackson, a former Maine Senate president, became the Democratic nominee after the previous candidate, Graham Platner, withdrew from the race amid rape allegations. Jackson is now competing against incumbent Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) in a closely watched election.
Genealogical records show that Jackson and Pelletier share the same great-grandparents, making them second cousins. They have been together since high school and are the parents of two adult sons, who are also their third cousins. Under Maine law, there are no restrictions on second cousins marrying or having children, and genetic experts state that such relationships do not significantly increase the risk of inherited disorders compared to the general population.
Throughout his political career, Jackson has referred to Pelletier as his partner. The couple has not legally married, although some earlier biographies referred to her as his wife. Jackson has emphasized his background as a fifth-generation logger from Allagash and has risen through organized labor and Democratic politics to become president of the Maine Senate. This revelation comes as he prepares for a significant general election against Collins, viewed as a critical opportunity for national Democrats to regain control of the Senate. Neither Jackson's campaign nor Pelletier has publicly commented on the genealogical reporting.