'Oh, shut up': Troy Jackson defends heated moment with Sen. Collins
Maine Senate candidate Troy Jackson defended telling opponent Senator Susan Collins to 'shut up' during a heated debate. The exchange occurred after Collins suggested a protester was affiliated with Jackson's campaign, which he denied.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the increasingly polarized and contentious nature of political discourse in U.S. election campaigns.
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 on Thursday night. The demonstrator started shouting during News Center Maine's debate about the environmental impacts of AI data centers when Collins chimed in and Jackson reacted. Also read: Troy Jackson tells Sen. Collins to 'shut up' during debate "This is obviously one of Troy's supporters," Collins said. "Oh, shut up. I don't even know that kid," Jackson responded. The unscripted moment capped an evening in which the two candidates traded barbs over their conflicting visions for Maine's future. On Friday during an interview with CBS13, Jackson addressed the controversial moment. He denied Collins’ claim that the protester was one of Jackson's supporters.
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