Paula Collins, the Democratic candidate challenging Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), sparked controversy when she suggested sending MAGA supporters to “re-education camps” following the 2024 election during a public Zoom townhall this week.

“Even if we were to have a resounding blue wave come through, as many of us would like, putting it all back together again after we’ve gone through this MAGA nightmare and re-educating basically, which, that sounds like a rather, a re-education camp. I don’t think we really want call it that,” Collins said, adding, “I’m sure we can find another way to phrase it.”

Alex DeGrasse, a senior advisor to Stefanik, criticized Collins, telling Fox News Digital, “This radical New York City Democrat Socialist who literally is renting a bed and breakfast room in NY-21 was caught on tape saying she wants to force Trump voters through ‘re-education camps.’ Everyone knows she will be defeated by Elise Stefanik by a historic margin.”

Collins later attempted to clarify her comments, telling Fox News Digital, “We currently have lawmakers, including Rep. Elise Stefanik, who mis-quote or mis-understand the law. Even if MAGA were to be resoundingly defeated, we would need to engage in widespread civics education, which both red and blue voters acknowledge has been slipping in recent years.”

The incident highlights the growing political divide and the contentious nature of the upcoming 2024 election, with some Democrats resorting to extreme rhetoric against their political opponents.