Democratic Senate Nominee Troy Jackson Faces Personal and Political Scandals

Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Troy Jackson is facing a series of personal and political controversies after securing his nomination on July 25. Reports published by Maine Wire editor-in-chief Steve Robinson revealed that Jackson fathered two children with his second cousin and longtime partner, Lana Pelletier. While the relationship is legal and common in rural northern Maine, it has drawn condemnation from Republican politicians. The Jackson campaign dismissed these reports as "shameful and desperate" personal attacks meant to distract from the voting record of incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins.

Separately, CNN linked Jackson to an anonymous 2012 online persona called "Canadians for LePage." Using a leaked email address from a Disqus data breach, the network found that Jackson posed as a Canadian logger to troll Republicans and mock former Governor Paul LePage, who had vetoed a 2011 bill sponsored by Jackson.

Jackson entered the race to challenge Senator Collins for her seat in the November 3 general election after former candidate Graham Platner withdrew following sexual assault allegations. Despite the current scrutiny, a University of New Hampshire poll shows Jackson holding a slight edge over Collins, who is seeking a historic sixth term.