Republican Senator Susan Collins has publicly commented on her Democratic opponent, Troy Jackson, saying he appears to be “having a hard time controlling his anger.” This remark comes in the wake of a resurfaced police record from 1988 that details an incident where Jackson assaulted a man and pushed his longtime partner during a standoff in Fort Kent, Maine.
Jackson, a former logger and past state Senate president, was chosen by the Maine Democratic Party weeks ago to take over from Graham Platner, a Democratic nominee who had to withdraw after being accused of rape—a charge he denied.
This race is crucial, as it could influence whether Republicans maintain their narrow majority in the Senate. When asked about the allegations against Jackson, Collins replied, “He’s the one who has to respond to the reports. I’m not going to comment on that. But I will just say that based on widespread reporting, he seems to be having a hard time controlling his anger.”
Collins made these statements during a statewide bus tour launch in Kittery, Maine. Notably, she is the only Republican incumbent seeking re-election in a state that President Trump lost in the 2024 election.
A recent Fox News Maine poll suggests Jackson holds a slim two-point lead over Collins, though it’s within the margin of error. The Bangor Daily News reported on a police document that accused Jackson of involvement in a brawl on March 12, 1988, where he allegedly assaulted another man.
The fight was reportedly triggered by an argument involving Jackson’s long-time partner, Lana Pelletier, who is also his cousin. They share two adult children. While Pelletier initially told officers that Jackson “pushed her down,” she has since denied making that statement, expressing uncertainty about the veracity of past comments attributed to her.
According to police accounts, Jackson, then 19, went to his home around 2 a.m. after being asked to leave by those inside. He allegedly kicked in the door, grabbed one occupant by the throat, and then punched him, resulting in damage to the man’s glasses. The altercation was eventually broken up by friends.
Following the resurgence of this information, the Republican National Committee characterized Jackson as “Graham Platner 2.0: Violent and unhinged,” and the National Republican Senatorial Committee questioned if these disturbing reports warranted Jackson’s removal from office.
In response, Jackson defended himself by acknowledging the incident but clarified, “I have never been violent towards my partner Lana or any other woman. This happened nearly 40 years ago, and I assure Mainers that this incident is in no way reflective of the person I am today.” Pelletier backed him, stating, “I don’t remember making any statements… Troy and I have built a life and family together.” She emphasized that personal attacks on her family are unacceptable.
Jackson’s campaign acknowledged that he “admitted to going to the residence and getting into a physical confrontation with another man. The incident was resolved with a $50 fine.” Meanwhile, a report from a man in Allagash claimed to have witnessed Jackson strike Pelletier in a separate incident years earlier, which adds another layer to the allegations against him.
Jackson’s political trajectory is notable; he transitioned from being a conservative Republican to becoming a Democrat over 20 years ago. He quickly emerged as the preferred candidate to succeed Platner amid various concerns regarding his temperament and past controversies, including workplace conduct and other liabilities related to his earlier anti-abortion stance.
In light of the negative press, Democrats are worried they may have selected another candidate without adequate vetting. A Democratic strategist, wishing to remain anonymous, mentioned, “This is a bit of a rocket vetting process… Maine Democrats have made their choice, and we have to follow it.” Collins reiterated the importance of scrutiny, referencing the previous issues with Platner.
In social media posts directed towards Democratic senators and candidates who have backed Jackson, the NRSC questioned whether they would call for Jackson’s resignation. Jackson, who previously ran for governor unsuccessfully, has positioned himself as a champion for progressive issues, advocating for working-class voters, raising taxes on billionaires, universal healthcare, and an end to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), alongside opposing military aid to Israel, a topic dividing many Democrats.
