Maine Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson is in a long-term relationship with Lana Pelletier, who is also his second cousin, according to a recent report. Jackson, 58, and Pelletier have two adult sons together and share the same great-grandparents, reflecting familial ties that trace back to their shared ancestry.

The couple’s familial relationship stems from their maternal lines: Jackson’s maternal grandmother, Albertine Pelletier O’Leary, and Pelletier’s paternal grandfather, Louis A. Pelletier Sr., were siblings. This connection makes Jackson’s mother, Colleen McBreairty, and Pelletier’s father, Louis Pelletier Jr., first cousins, positioning Jackson and Pelletier as second cousins under genealogical definitions.

The relationship, which began during their high school years in northern Maine, reflects a regional cultural context. Both Jackson and Pelletier grew up in the rural North Maine Woods area near the Canadian border, where such family connections and relationships are not uncommon, according to local sources. Jackson hails from the village of Allagash, which had a population of 237 as of the 2020 census. He attended Fort Kent High School alongside Pelletier.

Jackson has referred to Pelletier as his wife in public statements but sources familiar with the couple indicate they have never legally married. State law in Maine does not prohibit second cousins from forming marital or long-term relationships, and such unions are generally accepted in the region’s close-knit communities.

Jackson, a former logger and past president of the Maine State Senate, is currently running for the U.S. Senate. The disclosure of his relationship with Pelletier, including their familial ties, comes as he campaigns for higher office. Observers note that while the family connection might attract attention due to its public nature, the relationship aligns with local norms and legal standards.

The story highlights the intersection of personal history and public life in rural Maine, underscoring the unique social dynamics of the region. Jackson’s longstanding partnership with Pelletier is rooted in a shared upbringing and family lineage that extends deep into the community.