Top Dem operative brushes off latest scandal plaguing Maine Senate candidate as ‘salacious gossip’
Senior Democratic figures, including former DNC chair Donna Brazile, are declining to withdraw support for Maine Senate candidate Troy Jackson despite a fresh wave of controversy surrounding his personal history. Jackson became the party's nominee after Graham Platner, the original primary winner, dropped out in July following a rape allegation and other controversies, leaving Jackson to inherit an already troubled campaign against Republican incumbent Susan Collins in one of the most closely watched races of the cycle.
The latest reports allege Jackson fathered two children with his longtime partner Lana Pelletier, who is said to be his second cousin, and a resurfaced 1988 police report accuses him of assaulting a man during a dispute involving Pelletier. Jackson has acknowledged the altercation, saying he "took responsibility" for it then and now, while Pelletier disputed the accuracy of statements attributed to her in the old report and defended their decades-long relationship. Brazile dismissed the allegations as unverified "salacious gossip," declining to comment further but predicting the race would remain highly competitive through November.
- Democrats stand by Maine Senate nominee Troy Jackson amid new allegations.
- Reports claim Jackson had children with his second cousin, partner Lana Pelletier.
- A resurfaced 1988 police report also accuses Jackson of assault.
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Maine sends two senators to the US Congress, where they serve six-year terms. The state’s Senate race is between Democrat Troy Jackson and Republican incumbent Susan Collins, who has represented Maine since 1997.
Jackson became the Democratic nominee after Graham Platner left the primary race in July amid a rape allegation and other controversies. The latest reports about Jackson concern his relationship with longtime partner Lana Pelletier and a 1988 police report about an altercation; Jackson has acknowledged the altercation, while Pelletier disputes parts of the report.
The race matters because control of the Senate can affect which laws are passed and whether presidential appointments are approved. Maine’s contest is being closely watched as Democrats and Republicans compete for influence in the chamber.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
While allegations of assault and unconventional relationships are serious, party leaders must weigh unverified or contested claims against the reality that withdrawing support based on old allegations could set a dangerous precedent for every candidate. Jackson has acknowledged the 1988 incident, and the relationship between consenting adults, whilst unusual, does not demonstrate abuse of power; electoral consequences matter too much to abandon a competitive race based solely on personal controversies.
The case against
Party leaders have a responsibility to maintain ethical standards that transcend electoral calculation, particularly when serious allegations including assault are involved and a pattern of questionable judgment emerges. Dismissing these concerns as "gossip" represents a worrying casualness about matters of character and integrity that should be fundamental to public service, and upholding principle need not mean political weakness.