With just over two weeks until the midterm elections, tensions in Maine's Senate race boiled over Thursday night when Democratic challenger Troy Jackson told incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins to "shut up" during a live debate.
The confrontation came after an anti-data center protester interrupted the proceedings, shouting as Collins tried to continue her remarks. Collins responded by suggesting the disruption was orchestrated by Jackson's camp, saying, "So, this is obviously one of Troy's supporters." Jackson, visibly frustrated, shot back, "Oh, shut up. I don't even know that kid."
The exchange quickly went viral, with the Maine GOP condemning Jackson's outburst on social media as "unacceptable behavior coming from Troy Jackson tonight."
Beyond the heated moment, the debate covered President Trump, campaign finances, immigration reform, and the candidates' voting records as the race enters its final stretch.
Collins faced pointed questions about her relationship with the Trump administration, especially given that only 36 percent of Maine voters approve of the president, according to a recent Washington Post-Schar School poll. The senator defended her record by highlighting her efforts to block Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's confirmation, claiming she organized Republican opposition but that another GOP senator—likely referring to outgoing Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina—changed his mind at the last minute.
Jackson seized on that explanation, accusing Collins of breaking with Trump and the GOP only when her vote wasn't needed. He also noted that Collins is the only Republican senator seeking reelection this year in a state that backed Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
Jackson, meanwhile, faced his own scrutiny when he admitted to accepting $15,000 from the oil and pharmaceutical industries, breaking his campaign promise to reject money from billionaires and corporate PACs. "As far as the billionaires that I might have on my campaign, that is accurate," he said, drawing loud reactions from the audience. He added, "I'm going to tax those billionaires when I get to the U.S. Senate... So, if they want to give me money during this campaign, I guess that's up to them."
The race remains tight, with Decision Desk HQ, a partner of The Hill, rating it "narrowly" in Jackson's favor, giving him a 54 percent chance of winning as of Friday morning. The outcome could hinge on how voters weigh Collins's independence against Jackson's populist appeal.
