Dem Senate nominee admits 'I take responsibility' after police report alleges he broke down door, punched man
Maine Democratic Senate nominee Troy Jackson acknowledged to Fox News Digital that he got into a fight with another man nearly four decades ago, and Senate Republicans reacted to a newly surfaced police report detailing the violent confrontation.
"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 told Fox News Digital.
"But let me be clear: I have never been violent with my partner Lana, or any other woman," Jackson added. "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) is calling on Democrats to condemn Jackson over the report as he campaigns to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a race that could help determine control of the Senate.
"Disgusting and inexcusable," the NRSC wrote in a post on X. "Troy Jackson is violent, unhinged, and has no place in the Senate."
The NRSC also tagged a handful of Senate Democrats in posts specifically mentioning the 1988 incident, including Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.; Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.; Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.; Chris Murphy, D-Conn.; Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz.; and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
The NRSC also tagged Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.; former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper; and former Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio.
The Bangor Daily News first obtained and reported on the 1988 Fort Kent Police Department report, which the outlet said describes Jackson breaking down a door and punching a man at a Fort Kent home.
According to the newspaper's account of the police report and a handwritten witness statement, Jackson went to the home shortly before 2 a.m. March 12, 1988. After an occupant told him to leave, Jackson allegedly "kicked the door in."
Jackson then allegedly grabbed the man by the throat and swung at him, striking his glasses and cutting his face, according to the BDN's account of the records. The witness said Jackson warned the man to "stay away from Lana Pelletier or else."
The police report also notes Pelletier, Jackson's longtime partner, told an officer that Jackson had pushed her after the confrontation and that she planned to seek "cease harassment papers," according to the BDN.
Pelletier disputed that account in a statement to Fox News Digital.
"I do not remember making the statements attributed to me, and they are not accurate. This is the first time I have seen this report from 40 years ago," Pelletier said. "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."
The BDN reported that it found no record Pelletier ever sought such an order.
A surviving court summary shows Jackson entered into an agreement to pay the man $50 to resolve the case, according to the BDN. The newspaper reported that the underlying court file has since been destroyed under the state's records-retention schedule.
The BDN also reported that its background check found Jackson does not have a criminal record and that the 1988 case was the only criminal case it located involving him.
Fox News Digital has made multiple attempts to independently obtain the underlying records and contacted the Fort Kent Police Department and District Court seeking the original police report. Fox News Digital additionally submitted a request through Maine's state criminal background check system, finding no viewable corresponding results.
The Fort Kent Police Department responded to Fox News Digital's request Thursday afternoon, saying the town has "sought advice from its attorneys as to whether the documents can be released."
The controversy comes shortly after Jackson secured the Democratic nomination to challenge Collins following the collapse of Graham Platner's ill-fated campaign.
Fox News Digital also reached out to Sen. Collins' office for comment.