Full Breakdown
Troy Jackson’s 1988 Assault Reappears as He Seeks U.S. Senate Seat
8/13/2026, 3:00:50 AM
1988 Assault Resurfaces During Senate Race
A police report from the Fort Kent Police Department documents that, just before 2 a.m. on March 12, 1988, then-19-year-old Troy Jackson broke down a door on Market Street, confronted a man, and punched him. The victim’s handwritten statement says Jackson grabbed the man’s throat, struck his glasses and cut his face before the victim wrestled him to the ground. A court summary shows Jackson resolved the misdemeanor by paying the man $50. The report also records that Jackson’s longtime partner, Lana Pelletier, was listed as an “ex-girlfriend” who allegedly told officers Jackson had pushed her and that she intended to seek “cease-harassment papers.” No such filing exists, and Pelletier later denied making those statements.
Background and Recent Campaign Context
Jackson, a former Maine Senate president now 58, secured the Democratic nomination to challenge five-term Republican Sen. Susan Collins less than three weeks after the report’s release. The revelation follows earlier media attention to a 2021 incident in which Jackson allegedly threw a water bottle during a heated argument with a female colleague. Conservative outlets have highlighted Pelletier’s claim that she is Jackson’s second cousin and that the couple has two adult sons together, a detail first reported by The Maine Wire.
Official Statements & Responses
Jackson issued a statement acknowledging the 1988 fight, emphasizing personal responsibility for that youthful mistake and denying any violence toward Pelletier or any other woman. Pelletier released a statement asserting she does not recall the alleged police remarks, calling the family-focused attacks “unacceptable,” and describing Jackson as a caring partner and father. The Democratic Party declined to comment on the family controversy. When approached by Fox News, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) said she knew nothing about the matter but stressed the importance of electing Democrats. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) offered similar non-committal responses, while independent Sen. Angus King (I-ME) said he had “no idea” about the issue.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Nearly [40] years ago, when I was 19 years old, I got into a fight with another man. I took responsibility for it then, and I take responsibility for it now,” — Troy Jackson, a former Maine Senate president from Allagash
- “I understand Maine voters want to learn about Troy as he seeks to represent them, but personal attacks on my family are unacceptable,” — Lana Pelletier
- “In the 40 years since he made a mistake as a 19-year-old kid, Troy has grown to be a passionate advocate for Mainers and dedicated his life to making things better for our state while Susan Collins has been in Washington enriching herself at our expense,” — Lana Pelletier
- “I don't know anything about that, but what I do know is that we have got to elect Democrats up and down the ballot,” — Sen. Angela Alsobrooks
