Troy Jackson, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine, is facing renewed scrutiny over reports that he fathered two children with his second cousin Lana Pelletier and a resurfaced 1988 police report alleging assault.

Jackson became the party's nominee after Graham Platner dropped out of the race earlier this summer following multiple controversies, including a rape allegation. The turmoil comes as Democrats seek to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who has held her seat since 1997.

What the Right Is Saying

Independent journalist Steven Robinson of The Maine Wire published genealogical findings indicating that Jackson shares two children with his second cousin "by blood" and alleged high school sweetheart Lana Pelletier. According to Robinson's reporting, Pelletier's father is a cousin of Jackson's mother.

The 1988 police report, which resurfaced shortly after the family relationship claims, accused Jackson of assaulting a man in an altercation over Pelletier. The same document states that Pelletier told police at the time that Jackson "pushed her around."

Jackson acknowledged responsibility for the fight in a statement to Fox News Digital: "I took responsibility for [the fight] then, and I take responsibility for it now." He has not directly denied that Pelletier is his cousin.

Collins' campaign has not issued a public statement on the reports. Republican observers have noted the timing of the revelations in what is expected to be one of the most competitive Senate races of the cycle.

What the Left Is Saying

Former Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Donna Brazile dismissed the reports about Jackson and Pelletier during an interview with Fox News Digital. "There's a lot of people who are doing a lot of gossip as news, and I don't want to break news that might not be true — especially on something so personal — that's not what I do," Brazile said.

Brazile said she doesn't know Jackson personally but wished him well. "I don't really want to comment on salacious gossip — innuendos," she said. "All I know is that that's going to be one of the most competitive races, and we'll all be watching in the fall."

Jackson's campaign pushed back against what it called personal attacks, pointing to Collins' voting record. "Susan Collins will do anything to distract from the fact that she votes with Trump 96% of the time and has sold out working people in Maine," the campaign said in a statement. "Personal attacks on Troy's family are shameful and desperate."

Pelletier defended Jackson, saying in a separate statement: "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. 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."

What the Numbers Show

The race between Jackson and Collins remains highly competitive according to recent polling data. A Fox News poll showed the candidates deadlocked despite the controversies surrounding Jackson's candidacy.

Collins has served as Maine's junior senator since 1997, making her one of the longest-serving Republicans in the Senate. She has won re-election multiple times in a state that typically trends Democratic in presidential elections.

The seat is considered crucial to both parties' efforts to control the Senate majority in upcoming Congresses. Democrats have targeted Collins as part of their path to gaining seats.

The Bottom Line

Jackson faces questions about his personal history while running in one of the nation's most closely watched Senate races. His supporters point to policy contrasts with Collins, while critics highlight the accumulating reports about his past conduct and family relationships.

The candidate has acknowledged taking responsibility for a 1988 altercation but has not directly addressed whether he fathered children with a cousin. Pelletier has disputed statements attributed to her in the decades-old police report.

Both parties are investing significant resources in the race, which could determine control of the Senate. Voters in Maine will ultimately decide between Collins' three decades of incumbency and Jackson's Democratic nomination when they go to the polls this fall.