Data Center Protester Crashes Final Maine Senate Debate; Jackson Tells Collins “Shut Up” After She Links Heckler to Him

BANGOR, Maine — The final debate between Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson was interrupted Thursday night when a protester opposing AI data centers began shouting as Collins answered a question, setting off a sharp exchange between the two candidates.

About 15 minutes into the debate, the protester yelled, “I’m terrified. AI data centers are destroying our climate. They are poisoning our water,” as security moved to escort him from the debate hall, according to Fox News. Collins quipped, “So this is obviously one of Troy’s supporters.” Jackson fired back, “Oh, shut up,” adding that he did not know the protester.

The clash put data centers, already one of the most-debated issues in the race, back in front of voters with less than three weeks until the Nov. 3 midterm elections. The Maine GOP said in a social media post after the debate that Jackson’s “shut up” comment was unacceptable behavior, the Associated Press reported.

Data centers are a flashpoint in the race

The two candidates clashed over AI and data centers during a debate earlier this week as well. Jackson said Tuesday he is “not really supportive of data centers” but understands they may be unavoidable, expressing concern that the facilities could raise electricity prices and hurt the state’s water supply, the New York Post reported.

Collins responded that she supports federal legislation that sets guardrails on data center construction, including requiring the companies behind the projects to provide their own electricity and water for the facilities. Jackson charged that Collins is influenced by her donors on the issue, a claim she denied.

A toss-up with control of the Senate in play

Thursday’s debate in a Bangor theater was the last of four meetings between the two candidates. The race is within the margin of error in recent public polling, and the Fox News Power Rankings rates it a toss-up, as do the nonpartisan handicappers the Cook Political Report, Inside Elections and Sabato’s Crystal Ball. Fox News calls the contest a top flip opportunity for Democrats as they try to win back the Senate majority from Republicans.

Collins is seeking a sixth term representing Maine. Jackson, a one-time logger and former Maine Senate president, became the Democratic nominee in July after primary winner Graham Platner ended his campaign following allegations of sexual assault, which he denied, Fox News reported.

Jackson has repeatedly tried to tie Collins to President Donald Trump, telling the debate that Trump gets her vote “100% of the time” when he needs it. Collins has campaigned on her independence from the president, a line many Republicans in competitive midterm races are also using, according to a Reuters review. Collins describes herself as the most bipartisan member of the Senate.

The candidates also traded fire on the Iran War, immigration, rising fuel and electricity prices, budget deficits, Supreme Court reform, dark money in politics, an assault weapons ban and climate change, Fox News reported. When Jackson asked Collins whether she looks down on him or on working-class people, she answered: “Troy, I do not look down on you or on anyone. I grew up in Caribou. My first job was picking potatoes.”

When the debate ended, the two candidates did not acknowledge each other, the Associated Press reported.

Reporting based on coverage by Fox News, the New York Post and the Associated Press via the Los Angeles Post.