A protester interrupted Maine Senate debate; Jackson doesn’t regret telling Collins to shut up

Protester interrupts final debate

During the candidates’ final debate Thursday night, a protester opposing data centers began shouting while Collins spoke. As moderators sought to have the person removed, Collins said the demonstrator was “obviously one of Troy’s supporters.” The Sunrise Movement said on Instagram that the disruption came from one of its volunteers. The New York Times identified the protester as Henry Elgie, a 19-year-old Bowdoin College student, and reported that he said he had no coordination with Jackson’s campaign and did not know Jackson.

Jackson rejects campaign link

Jackson said he did not know who the protester was and denied arranging the interruption. In an interview with CNN’s “State of the Union,” which aired Sunday, he said Collins had accused him of setting it up.

Collins questions Jackson’s response

Collins told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Friday that Jackson’s quick reply struck her as revealing. She also pointed to what she called Jackson’s reputation in the Legislature, particularly in disagreements with women.

Race enters final stretch

Jackson is seeking to deny Collins a sixth term in a closely contested race as the Nov. 3 election approaches. Collins is the longest-serving Republican woman in Senate history.

Asked about Republicans’ claims that he was aggressive toward women in the Legislature, Jackson said some Republicans had spent millions attacking him and his family with untrue claims. He said that did not surprise him.