Collins Says Troy Jackson Struggles to Control Temper as 1988 Assault Record Roils Maine Senate Race
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 14
Collins Says Troy Jackson Struggles to Control Temper as 1988 Assault Record Roils Maine Senate Race
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 14
Summary
Susan Collins broke her silence Friday, saying Democratic challenger Troy Jackson appears to “struggle to control his temper” after a resurfaced 1988 police report intensified scrutiny in Maine’s Senate race.
The report says 19-year-old Jackson kicked in a Fort Kent door around 2 a.m., grabbed a man by the throat and punched him; it also recorded a claim that he pushed partner Lana Pelletier, which she now denies.
Jackson said he takes responsibility for the nearly 40-year-old fight and noted the case ended with a $50 fine, while insisting he has never been violent with Pelletier or any other woman.
Republicans are pressing Democrats to disavow Jackson, arguing the episode exposes another vetting failure after former nominee Graham Platner quit last month amid rape allegations he denied.
The flare-up lands in a pivotal race for the GOP’s slim Senate majority, with a Fox News poll this week showing Jackson 2 points ahead of Collins, within the margin of error.