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Maine Senate Candidate Troy Jackson’s Partner Alleged to Be His Second Cousin
By Drooid · · How we work
Family Connection Claim Emerges
On July 30, The Maine Wire reported that genealogical records indicate Lana Pelletier and Democratic Senate nominee Troy Jackson share the same great-grandparents, making them second cousins. The report traced the shared ancestors to Thomas Pelletier and Edith Thibodeau Pelletier, noting that Jackson’s grandmother, Albertine Pelletier O’Leary, and Pelletier’s grandfather, Louis A. Pelletier Sr., were siblings. The National Republican Senatorial Committee later republished excerpts of the same claim. Newsweek observed that neither the birth, marriage nor the genealogical documents were made publicly available, so it could not independently verify the family link.
Political Context of the 2026 Maine Senate Race
Jackson secured the Democratic nomination after winning the party’s July 25 nominating convention, positioning him as the challenger to incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins in the November 3 general election. RealClearPolitics’ poll average shows Jackson at 48.6 percent and Collins at 47.3 percent, a 1.3-point lead for Jackson, underscoring the race’s competitiveness and its potential impact on Senate control.
Legal and Electoral Implications
Maine law does not prohibit marriage between second cousins; it bars unions between closer relatives such as parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. First-cousin marriages are permitted only with a physician’s certificate confirming genetic counseling. Although some public references have called Pelletier Jackson’s wife, The Maine Wire could not locate a marriage license for the couple. Pelletier’s 2019 financial disclosure listed her as an immediate family member, a requirement for lawmakers to report income from spouses or domestic partners.
Official Responses and Verification Status
The NRSC’s republication of the genealogical claim suggests the issue is being used for political scrutiny. Newsweek’s inability to access the underlying records leaves the alleged kinship unconfirmed. No official comment from Jackson’s campaign or from Pelletier has been reported in the available sources.