Troy Jackson, the fifth-generation logger and former Maine Senate President, officially became the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Susan Collins on July 25, 2026, after Maine Democrats selected him at a special party convention in Bangor to replace Graham Platner, who exited the race earlier in July 2026 following a sexual assault allegation. As Jackson steps into the national spotlight ahead of the November 2026 midterm election, many voters are curious about his personal life, including his longtime partner, Lana Pelletier.
Is Troy Jackson Married?
Troy Jackson, born June 26, 1968, in Fort Kent, Maine, is not formally married in the traditional legal sense, though he has been in a decades-long relationship with Lana Pelletier, whom he refers to as his partner. Public records, campaign biographies, and Maine Senate Democrats’ official statements have referred to Pelletier interchangeably as Jackson’s “partner,” “longtime girlfriend,” and, in at least one official Maine Senate Democrats release from December 5, 2012, his “wife.” Wikipedia’s biography of Jackson lists Lana Pelletier as his spouse. Despite this, most recent official biographies, including his campaign’s own “Meet Troy” page, describe Pelletier specifically as his partner rather than his legal wife, and the couple has not publicized a formal marriage date.
Who Is Lana Pelletier?
Lana Pelletier is from Allagash, Maine, the same small Aroostook County town where Troy Jackson grew up and still lives. She and Jackson have built a life together in the far northern Maine community, and public records show they have jointly owned property, including a house in Augusta that became the subject of a legal dispute and insurance claim reported by local outlets in 2023. Pelletier’s mother has also served as a local election official in Allagash, a detail that surfaced during a 2023 local election controversy involving Jackson.
Troy Jackson and Lana Pelletier’s Children
Troy Jackson and Lana Pelletier have two adult sons together, Chace and Camden. The couple has lived together in Allagash for years, and their sons have occasionally appeared in local news coverage tied to Jackson’s political career, including a 2023 municipal election dispute in their hometown.
Troy Jackson’s Path to the 2026 U.S. Senate Nomination
Jackson’s personal life has drawn fresh attention because of his rapid rise to the top of Maine’s marquee 2026 Senate race. Jackson originally ran for governor of Maine in 2026, backed in part by the state’s Democratic Socialists of America chapter, but he finished third in the Democratic primary. When Graham Platner suspended his U.S. Senate campaign earlier in July 2026 after a sexual assault allegation surfaced, Maine Democrats scrambled to find a replacement nominee. Jackson quickly emerged as the frontrunner, winning endorsements from rivals Dan Kleban and former CDC Director Nirav Shah, both of whom dropped out and urged the party to unite behind him for electability.
On July 25, 2026, roughly 600 Democratic delegates gathered at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor for a special nominating convention. Jackson won an overwhelming 566 of 571 delegate votes, officially securing the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in November 2026. In his acceptance speech, Jackson echoed Platner’s populist message, telling the crowd, “We are not from the left. We are not from the right. We’re from the bottom, and we are rising.”
Troy Jackson’s Political Background
Jackson served in the Maine Senate from 2008 to 2014 and again from 2016 to 2024, holding the role of Senate President from 2018 to 2024. Before entering politics, he spent years working as a logger, and his political career traces back to a 1998 border blockade protesting the hiring of Canadian logging crews over Maine workers. He began his political career as a Republican, briefly identified as an independent in 2002, and joined the Democratic Party in 2004. Jackson’s early voting record, including a 2009 vote against legalizing same-sex marriage in Maine, has evolved considerably; he has since championed abortion rights and earned high marks from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups like Equality Maine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Troy Jackson married or does he have a wife? Troy Jackson is not formally married under Maine law but has been in a long-term relationship with partner Lana Pelletier for many years. Some older official releases have referred to her as his wife, though his campaign currently describes her as his partner.
Who is Lana Pelletier? Lana Pelletier is Troy Jackson’s longtime partner. She is from Allagash, Maine, and the couple has lived together in the town for years while raising two sons.
How many children does Troy Jackson have? Troy Jackson and Lana Pelletier have two adult sons, Chace and Camden.
Why is Troy Jackson in the news in July 2026? Jackson officially became the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine on July 25, 2026, after Maine Democrats selected him to replace Graham Platner, who dropped out of the race earlier in the month amid a sexual assault allegation. Jackson will face Republican Senator Susan Collins in the November 2026 election.
Did Troy Jackson run for governor before running for Senate? Yes. Jackson ran in Maine’s 2026 Democratic gubernatorial primary but finished third before shifting to the Senate race after Platner’s exit.
Stay tuned for more updates on Troy Jackson’s Senate campaign and personal life as the November 2026 election approaches — drop your thoughts in the comments below!