Troy Jackson refuses to apologize for debate comment to Susan Collins

Maine Democratic Senate nominee Troy Jackson stated on Sunday that he does not plan to apologize for telling Republican Senator Susan Collins to shut up during a debate. Speaking to CNN anchor Dana Bash, Jackson said he does not regret using the phrase, as reported by the Washington Examiner, CNN, and the Stamford Advocate. [1][3][8]

The exchange happened during the fourth and final Maine Senate debate. As FTMQ News reported earlier, a demonstrator protesting artificial intelligence data centers interrupted the debate, prompting Collins to suggest the protester supported Jackson. Jackson responded by telling Collins to shut up, according to the Washington Examiner, the Stamford Advocate, and FTMQ News archive reports. [1][8][11]

Collins criticized the comment as very telling and stated that the remark reflected how Jackson treats women, according to the New York Times. Jackson defended his remark and reiterated that he has no apologies for the moment, CNN and Politico reported. [3][4][5][6][7]

Jackson is a former logger who served as president of the Maine Senate from 2018 to 2024. Collins has served as the senior United States senator for Maine since 1997 and currently chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee. She is seeking a sixth term in the United States Senate. [9][10][11]