Democrat who told Susan Collins to ‘shut up’ doubles down and refuses to apologize

Democrat who told Susan Collins to ‘shut up’ doubles down and refuses to apologize Speaking during an interview on CNN’s "State of the Union" that aired Sunday, Jackson addressed the tense moment from the closely fought race - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in Maine Democrat Troy Jackson has stated he stands by telling Sen. Susan Collins to "shut up" after the Republican candidate claimed a protester who interrupted their recent debate was connected to his campaign. Speaking during an interview on CNN’s "State of the Union" that aired Sunday, Jackson addressed the tense moment from the closely fought race, in which he is attempting to prevent Collins, the longest-serving Republican woman in Senate history, from winning a sixth term. "She said that it was a Troy supporter. She accused me of setting that up. I had no idea who it was," said Jackson, a former president of the state Senate. The confrontation took place Thursday night during the final debate of their campaign ahead of the Nov. 3 election. As Collins spoke, a demonstrator opposing data centers began shouting. As moderators worked to remove the protester, the senator said the individual was "obviously one of Troy’s supporters." Jackson immediately retorted: "Oh, shut up. I don’t even know that kid." Following the event, the Sunrise Movement acknowledged the action on its Instagram account, writing: "We’re proud of this Sunrise volunteer who took action yesterday." The protester was identified as Henry Elgie, a 19-year-old student at Bowdoin College in Maine. In an interview with The New York Times, Elgie said he had "zero coordination" with the Democratic candidate, adding, "I do not know Troy Jackson personally or at all." The Sunrise Movement is a progressive political organization that advocates for the Green New Deal, an initiative that seeks to convert the U.S. economy to 100% renewable energy. The group operates local chapters across the nation to conduct protests, sit-ins, and strikes. Jackson informed CNN that he had exchanged handshakes with Collins after all of their debates. However, he stood firm on his reaction during the exchange. "But what I’m not going to be is talked down to by Sen. Collins," he said. "I’m fighting for Mainers and I just think that was another situation where she was talking down to me and I’m not going to apologize for that." Collins offered her perspective Friday during an interview on Fox News’ Sean Hannity, remarking that she was "struck by how reflective the response, ‘Oh, shut up,’ was." She added that "the fact that it seemed like such an automatic, quick reply was very telling." She further referenced what she called "the reputation" Jackson established while serving in the Legislature, "particularly when he’s dealing with women with whom he disagrees. So in some ways it didn’t surprise me." Past colleagues in the statehouse have noted Jackson’s temper, including an occasion when he threw a plastic water bottle to the ground during a dispute with a female lawmaker. When questioned about these instances during the race, Jackson said, "I wear my heart on my sleeve," taking accountability and apologizing for the past incidents. When asked on CNN about Republican claims highlighting his past legislative demeanor toward female colleagues, Jackson dismissed the focus as part of a broader political effort, stating opponents were "attacking me and my family, making untrue claims. … So it doesn’t surprise me." Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments