Susan Collins condemns ‘freak’ ad attacking Troy Jackson family in Maine Senate battle

Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins has distanced herself from a new radio ad labeling Democratic opponent Troy Jackson a "freak" and a "creep" because "he has two kids with his cousin," stating Wednesday that it should be taken down.Airing on Maine radio in the form of a country song, the spot comes from the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with Senate Republicans. Lyrics in the jingle include: "If he’ll screw his own family, he’ll screw yours too."Collins told reporters at a Lewiston campaign appearance she "had nothing to do with that ad." She noted federal law bans her from coordinating with the super PAC, but said she publicly called for its removal.In September, Collins had referenced Jackson's relationship with a second cousin in a Politico interview."I’m not going to bring up the fact that the mother of his two children is his second cousin," Collins said. "I don’t know whether people know that or not."Writing in an op-ed Wednesday, Lana Pelletier, Jackson's partner, criticized the ad and wider family attacks by Collins and her supporters, saying she never expected they "would stoop this low."Senator Susan Collins and Democratic candidate Troy Jackson are seen during their debate at the Gracie Theatre in Bangor, Maine, on October 15 (AFP/Getty)"Sen. Collins has been quick to demand respect and decency for herself. My family deserved the same," Pelletier said."I am not a helpless woman who needs politicians to tell the world what happened in my own life. And I am not a punchline or a caricature of where I come from," she added.Jackson, a former lumberjack and state lawmaker, and Pelletier are longtime partners who share two sons.Dan Gottlieb, Jackson's deputy campaign manager, stated Wednesday that Collins owes Jackson's family an apology."Susan Collins herself spread these disgusting personal attacks on Troy's family," he said. "Now she wants Mainers to believe she's above the very attacks she helped spread."Democrats are hoping Jackson defeats the incumbent Collins as the party works to retake the Senate.Collins also lamented Wednesday how negative campaign advertising has become during this election cycle."This race is unique in Maine history in the number of personal attacks," Collins said.