Maine Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Troy Jackson is facing renewed scrutiny following a report alleging his longtime partner is his second cousin, a claim his campaign has dismissed as a politically motivated personal attack.
The allegation was first reported by the Maine Wire, which cited genealogical records and tips from residents who claim that Jackson and his longtime partner, Lana Pelletier, share the same great-grandparents.
According to the report, Jackson and Pelletier have been together since high school, live together and have two adult sons.
Although the couple does not appear to be legally married, Jackson has referred to Pelletier as his wife on multiple occasions.
The Maine Wire alleged the pair are both descendants of Thomas Pelletier and Edith Thibodeau, making them second cousins.
The Daily Mail reported it has not independently verified the genealogical records cited in the original report.
Jackson’s campaign strongly rejected the attention surrounding the allegations.
“Susan Collins will do anything to distract from the fact that she votes with Trump 96 percent of the time and has sold out working people in Maine,” a campaign official told the Daily Mail.
The spokesperson added that “personal attacks on Troy’s family are shameful and desperate.”
The controversy comes as Jackson seeks to unseat incumbent Maine Sen. Susan Collins (R) in one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate races.
Democrats view the seat as critical to their efforts to regain control of the Senate in November.
Under Maine law, marriage between second cousins is legal.
The report also noted Jackson and Pelletier are not legally married, despite Jackson’s references to Pelletier as his wife.
Following publication of the story, the allegations quickly generated widespread reaction on social media.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) criticized the reports in a social media post, while former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer also commented publicly.
The story prompted numerous jokes and memes online, although it remains unclear whether the controversy will have any measurable effect on the Senate race.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to the Daily Mail.
The report noted Jackson was in Washington, D.C., when the story emerged and was photographed dining at a downtown restaurant while the allegations circulated online.
With fewer than 100 days remaining before Election Day, the controversy has added another challenge to what is expected to be one of the most competitive Senate races of the 2026 midterm elections.
