New questions are emerging around Maine Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Troy Jackson following reports about his personal relationship and financial disclosure obligations as he prepares to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
According to The Maine Wire, Jackson and his longtime partner, Lana Pelletier, are second cousins and share two children together. The outlet reported that genealogical records indicate the pair share the same great-grandparents.
Both Jackson and Pelletier are from Allagash, a small town in northern Maine.
The report notes that although official biographies in past years referred to Pelletier as Jackson’s wife, the couple has never legally married. Jackson’s current campaign materials describe her as his partner.
The distinction could have implications for federal financial disclosure requirements.
RELATIVE ATTRACTION: We can confirm that Troy Jackson and his longtime partner are second cousins.
They have two children together https://t.co/L9i3ALy7Wt pic.twitter.com/OvtA6PVOrC
— The Maine Wire (@TheMaineWire) July 30, 2026
Under Senate ethics rules, candidates and sitting senators must disclose detailed financial information about themselves and their spouses, including assets, liabilities, and sources of income. Because Maine does not recognize common-law marriage and the couple has not legally married, questions have been raised about whether Pelletier’s financial information would be subject to the same disclosure requirements that apply to a spouse.
Townhall’s Matt Vespa, citing the reporting, noted that Jackson had not filed a Senate financial disclosure form or requested an extension as of this week.
The personal questions arrive alongside other issues that have surfaced during Jackson’s campaign.
According to the Bangor Daily News, Jackson paid approximately $4,600 in overdue Maine state income taxes last year after a tax lien related to unpaid taxes dating back to 2020.
The newspaper also reported that in 2023 a Republican state lawmaker filed an ethics complaint alleging Jackson misrepresented his residency after purchasing a home in Augusta while continuing to list Allagash as his residence in legislative filings.
Earlier this month, Jackson also faced criticism following reports alleging that he berated female lawmakers during his tenure as president of the Maine Senate.
Despite the controversies, Jackson secured the Democratic nomination at the party’s convention in Bangor, winning 566 delegate votes.
He entered the race after the departure of former Democratic candidate Graham Platner, who withdrew earlier this month following allegations of sexual assault made by a former girlfriend. Platner denied the accusation.
Jackson is now expected to face longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins in what is likely to become one of the country’s most closely watched Senate races.
