Lana Pelletier: The Woman Behind Maine Senate hopeful Troy Jackson

When the Maine Democratic Party announced former state senator Troy Jackson as its replacement candidate for the U.S. Senate, a flood of headlines focused on the political battle against incumbent Republican Susan Collins. Yet, almost as quickly as the news broke, curious readers started asking a different question: who is the woman standing beside Jackson, the person who’s been quoted in his campaign materials and ethics filings?

That woman is Lana Pelletier. While some official biographies label her as Jackson’s “partner,” the couple has been together long enough that many treat the term as a polite stand‑in for wife. In the 2022 campaign questionnaire, Jackson simply wrote “partner” beside her name, a phrasing that has stuck in the public record.

Pelletier works as a Clinical Care Specialist for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). In that role she helps coordinate services for some of the state’s most vulnerable residents—a job that, according to colleagues, demands both compassion and a steady hand. It’s a full‑time gig that she balances with family life in the remote town of Allagash, deep in the Maine woods.

The Jackson‑Pelletier household includes two grown‑up children: Chace and Camden. Both sons have followed their parents’ example of public service, though in quieter ways—one works in a local forestry company, the other studies environmental policy at a nearby college. The family’s modest home, set against a backdrop of pine‑covered hills, has become a quiet sanctuary away from the buzz of Washington, D.C.

Jackson’s ascent to the Senate ticket was anything but smooth. He was thrust into the race after Graham Platner withdrew amid serious sexual‑assault allegations. A special session of Maine Democrats convened on a Saturday afternoon, and after a brief but intense deliberation, Jackson emerged as the consensus choice. The move was quickly backed by Senator Bernie Sanders, who praised Jackson’s “steady leadership” for the Pine Tree State.

In a video posted to his campaign’s website, Jackson thanked Mainers with a characteristic bluntness: “We’re well on our way to getting the government that we deserve. In 101 days we’ll defeat Susan Collins and bring a new voice to the Senate.” His remarks, raw and unapologetic, sparked both cheers and criticism, and the GOP’s Senate Leadership Fund announced a $42 million war‑chest aimed at protecting Collins.

Through all the political theater, Lana Pelletier remains largely out of the spotlight—her job, family duties, and personal privacy keeping her grounded. Yet her presence is felt in every rally speech and policy brief that Jackson releases. When asked about the campaign’s grueling schedule, Jackson often credits his partner’s calm demeanor for keeping him focused.

As Maine’s voters head to the polls this November, the story of Troy Jackson’s run cannot be told without mentioning Lana Pelletier. Whether labelled partner or wife, she exemplifies the quieter side of public service: a steady hand in a demanding field, a mother nurturing the next generation, and a confidante who stands beside a candidate navigating the toughest political waters of his career.