Maine Democratic Senate nominee Troy Jackson has acknowledged a fight from nearly 40 years ago, following the emergence of a 1988 police report detailing a violent confrontation. The report, obtained by the Bangor Daily News, alleges Jackson broke down a door and punched a man.
"Nearly 40 years ago, when I was 19 years old, I got into a fight with another man. I took responsibility for it then, and I take responsibility for it now," Jackson said in a statement to Fox News Digital. He added, "But let me be clear: I have never been violent with my partner Lana, or any other woman. This happened nearly four decades ago, and I assure Mainers this incident in no way reflects the man I am today or the life I’ve led in the years since."
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has called on Democrats to condemn Jackson, who is campaigning to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins. The NRSC posted on X, "Disgusting and inexcusable. Troy Jackson is violent, unhinged, and has no place in the Senate." The committee also tagged several Democratic senators in posts referencing the 1988 incident.
According to the Bangor Daily News's account of the 1988 Fort Kent Police Department report, Jackson arrived at a residence shortly before 2 a.m. on March 12, 1988. After being told to leave, Jackson allegedly "kicked the door in." The report further states Jackson then grabbed the man by the throat and struck him, cutting his face and breaking his glasses. A witness statement cited by the newspaper indicated Jackson warned the man to "stay away from Lana Pelletier or else."
Pelletier, Jackson's longtime partner, told Fox News Digital that she does not recall making the statements attributed to her in the report and that they are inaccurate. "Troy and I have built a life and family together, and I know the person he has been through the decades since, both as a caring partner and father," she said. The Bangor Daily News reported it found no record of Pelletier seeking harassment papers.
The Bangor Daily News reported that a court summary shows Jackson agreed to pay the man $50 to resolve the case, and that the original court file has since been destroyed. A background check by the newspaper found no current criminal record for Jackson, with the 1988 case being the only criminal case located involving him.
Jackson secured the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate race in Maine shortly after previous nominee Graham Platner withdrew. Polling data from August indicated a dead-heat race between Jackson and incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins, with inflation and border security cited as top issues for registered voters.