PORTLAND, Maine (WGME) — Democratic challenger Troy Jackson says he doesn’t regret telling Republican Sen. Susan Collins to “shut up” after a protester interrupted a Senate debate Thursday night.
The protester began shouting during the News Center Maine debate on the environmental impacts of AI data centers when Collins intervened and Jackson reacted.
“He’s obviously one of Troy’s supporters,” Collins said.
“Oh, shut up. I don’t even know this kid,” Jackson replied.
The unexpected moment capped an evening in which the two candidates exchanged barbs over their conflicting visions for Maine’s future.
During an interview with CBS13 on Friday, Jackson addressed the controversial moment.
He denied Collins’ claim that the protester was one of Jackson’s supporters. He also says he tried to keep the race respectful, but claims Collins’ campaign attacked him and his family.
CBS13 reporter Max Williams asked, “I just want to address the debate last night. I know there was a heated interaction with the protester there and when the protester came in, Collins basically referred him to one of your supporters. Then you told Susan Collins to shut up. This obviously made national news on social media, with many people calling it misogynistic, poor choice of words, lack of professionalism. Do you regret saying that to Senator Collins?”
Jackson replied, “No. Look, I mean, you know, we’re in the middle of a debate. She accused me of setting this up, which is completely false, but it’s like what Susan Collins did to me throughout this campaign.
I mean, we had four debates. I shook his hand. You know, I called her Senator Collins, as a sign of respect. But she spent millions of dollars attacking me and my family, making outrageous claims. Some of them had to be dismantled. You know, in a way that I don’t think is professional either. You know, I’m not going to mince words anymore.
I think the people of Maine should be offended by Susan Collins for the work that she’s doing here in this state, you know. I’m going to fight for Mainers every day and like I said, I’m just not going to let myself be pushed around by someone like her or Donald Trump.
The Collins campaign disputes Jackson’s interpretation of removing the ads.
A Collins campaign spokesperson responded to CBS 13’s investigation into Jackson by saying “shut up” during the debate.
“This is yet another example of Troy Jackson’s angry outbursts toward his female colleagues, and it raises a serious question about how he treats women who disagree with him,” the spokesperson said.
Gn usa
