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Democratic Maine Senate candidate fathered 2 sons with his second cousin: reports
KOMO • • nation
Key Points:
- Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Troy Jackson is under scrutiny after reports revealed he and his longtime partner, Lana Pelletier, are second cousins sharing the same great-grandparents.
- The couple has two adult sons together, and genealogical records support the second cousin claim; however, Maine law permits marriage between second cousins, so no legal violation occurred.
- Jackson's campaign dismissed the reports as political distractions aimed at diverting attention from incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins' voting record and criticized the personal attacks on Jackson's family.
- Republicans have reacted strongly on social media, with figures like Sean Spicer and Rep. Nancy Mace expressing outrage and using the revelation to criticize Democrats.
- Jackson, who was recently nominated to replace Graham Platner as the Democratic Senate candidate, will face Collins in the November general election.
