Protester interrupts final Collins-Jackson debate

Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson told Republican Sen. Susan Collins to “shut up” after a protester interrupted their final debate in Bangor on October 15, setting off an exchange over whether the demonstrator supported Jackson. The protester’s affiliation has not been established. The interruption came as Collins was speaking. The demonstrator shouted opposition to data centers, saying they were harming the climate and water, and security moved to remove the person. Collins suggested the protester was one of Jackson’s supporters. Jackson replied that he did not know the demonstrator. The exchange briefly disrupted the debate, the fourth and final meeting between the candidates. A report said the protester wore a press badge, but the person’s identity remained unclear. Jackson’s campaign declined to comment on the exchange. The Maine Republican Party criticized Jackson’s remark in a social media post. Neither the protester’s identity nor any connection to either campaign was established in the accounts of the debate. The candidates also disputed their records and party loyalty. Collins described herself as independent and cited her effort to oppose Pete Hegseth’s...