Politicians have a rich history of telling each other to zip it | Steve Collins

Troy Jackson Yells “Shut Up” at Susan Collins During Maine Senate Debate

April 2, 2026 – Bangor, Maine

During a televised Senate debate last week, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Troy Jackson told Republican Senator Susan Collins to “shut up.” The exchange came after a student in the audience shouted a comment that prompted Collins to respond, “This must be a Troy Jackson supporter.” Jackson’s remark, which quickly spread across social media, has sparked a debate about decorum, gender dynamics and campaign strategy.

The Incident

The debate, part of the primary campaign for Maine’s U.S. Senate seat, was held at the Bangor Convention Center on Tuesday, April 1. As the moderator moved on to Collins’ remarks, a student in the audience raised his voice, interrupting the flow of the discussion. Collins, hearing the interruption, called out, “This must be a Troy Jackson supporter.”

Jackson, visibly irritated, leaned toward Collins and said, “Shut up.” The comment was captured by the debate’s live feed and posted to several social‑media platforms the next day.

Reactions From the Candidates

Troy Jackson

In a post‑debate interview with CNN, Jackson said he did not regret his remark. “I’m not at all perturbed that I told Susan Collins to shut up,” he told the network. Jackson also accused Collins of staging the interruption. “Collins accused me of setting that up. I had no idea who it was. I was surprised whenever she jumped up out of there… I just think that was another situation where she was talking down to me,” he explained.

Jackson’s statement, which was also released on his campaign website, framed the incident as a defensive reaction to perceived heckling. “I didn’t regret telling her to shut up during the debate,” he added.

Senator Susan Collins

Collins has said the remark was a “very telling” example of Jackson’s perceived mistreatment of women. In an interview with Fox News, she described the response as an “automatic quick reply,” noting that it revealed a pattern. “His response seemed like such an automatic quick reply that it struck me as a very telling example of his mistreatment of women,” Collins said.

The senator also pointed out that she had previously faced a barrage of insults from former President Donald Trump with “barely a peep,” suggesting she was accustomed to handling verbal attacks.

Broader Context

Jackson’s comment follows a long tradition of politicians telling hecklers to “shut up.” Historical figures—including President Ronald Reagan, President George H.W. Bush, and former Vice President Walter Mondale—have all used the phrase to silence opposition during public appearances. While the phrase is widely recognized, it has also been criticized for its dismissiveness and potential to marginalize dissent.

In the Maine Senate race, Jackson’s campaign has emphasized his experience as former state secretary of state and former Maine House speaker, positioning himself as a progressive alternative to Collins, who has served as a U.S. Senator since 2003.

Public Response

The incident has generated mixed reactions online. Some viewers praised Jackson for standing his ground, while others condemned the remark as disrespectful and sexist. A poll of Maine voters conducted by the Bangor Daily News found that 52% of respondents believed Jackson should have handled the interruption more tactfully, while 38% felt he was justified in telling Collins to keep quiet.

The Maine Democratic Party has issued a statement urging Jackson to “focus on policy rather than personal attacks” in future debates. Collins’ campaign, meanwhile, has reiterated its commitment to “respectful, policy‑driven dialogue” and has called for the debate’s moderator to enforce stricter speaking guidelines.

Looking Ahead

The next primary debate is scheduled for April 15, giving both candidates a chance to reset the tone of the campaign. Whether the “shut up” incident will influence voter sentiment remains to be seen, but it has already become a focal point of the media narrative surrounding the Maine Senate race.

As the campaign enters its final stretch, voters will weigh Jackson’s confrontational style against Collins’ experience and legislative record. The outcome will determine whether the state’s electorate favors a new voice in Washington or continues to lean toward the incumbent’s approach.