Internet erupts over report that Platner's replacement in key Senate race fathered children with second cousin

Conservatives lit up on Thursday night in response to a report claiming that Maine Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson, who recently replaced disgraced candidate Graham Platner on the ballot, fathered two children with his second cousin and high school sweetheart.

The report, from Maine Wire editor-in-chief Steve Robinson, found that Jackson shares two adult sons with a woman named Lana Pelletier, his second cousin with whom he shares the same great-grandparents.

The report pointed out that the relationship is not uncommon in northern rural Maine, where Jackson is from, and that it is not illegal, but many on social media reacted with shock and criticism.

"Can’t wait for Democrats to defend cousin marriage!," Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., posted on X.

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"If you thought Platner was a freak - meet Troy Jackson," former White House press secretary Sean Spicer posted on X.

"🚨 WTF?! Maine’s new Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson is in a ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP with his COUSIN, and has TWO CHILDREN with her. THIS is the guy the Democrat Party swapped Graham Platner out for🤣," conservative influencer Nick Sortor posted on X.

"The Democrats are having a REALLY tough time finding candidates who aren’t total freaks😂," Sortor added.

"Troy Jackson's 'partner' is his second cousin, according to genealogical records found in Maine. Which means his kids are also his third cousins. Who said Democrats were anti-family?" Drew Berkemeyer, a writer for the Daily Wire, posted on X.

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In a post on X, Independent Women's Forum Senior Policy Analyst Inez Stepman wrote, "*Second* cousins seem like relevant information here. But it is funny that Dems keep selecting candidates who fit the vicious stereotypes they hold about rural or working-class people: beats women, hooks up with cousin, etc."

"They live together and have kids together? So they’re basically married?" Washington Examiner senior columnist Tim Carney posted on X.

"Take it from Troy, he’s got that can’t eat, can’t sleep, reach for the stars, over the fence, World Series kind of cousin love," National Republican Senatorial Committee Deputy Political Director Kaeley Gemmill posted on X.

"It's truly hysterical how Democrats can't seem to find one normal dude to run for office," conservative commentator Greg Price posted on X.

The Republican account on X also posted, "Wellness check on Maine Democrats."

In a statement to Fox News Digital, the Jackson campaign said, "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. Personal attacks on Troy's family are shameful and desperate."

Jackson, a former state senator who ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic Maine gubernatorial primary this year, was tapped as the U.S. Senate nominee at the Maine Democratic Party's U.S. Senate Nominating Convention earlier this month.

Graham Platner, who won the 2026 Maine Democratic U.S. Senate primary last month, dropped out of the race earlier this month in the face of a rape allegation, though he had asserted, "Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically false."

The general election, where Jackson will square off against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins, will be on Nov. 3, as Republicans attempt to hold on to their 53-47 majority in the Senate.

Fox News Digital's Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.