Sen. Susan Collins. (Official portrait — public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
The final debate in one of America's most closely watched Senate races went off the rails Thursday night — and it started with a shout about AI data centers.
About 15 minutes into the debate at a Bangor theater, a protester interrupted Republican Sen. Susan Collins as she spoke. "AI data centers are destroying our climate… they are poisoning our water," the demonstrator yelled before being removed by security. Data centers have become a top concern for Maine voters ahead of the midterms, amid fears the energy-intensive facilities could raise electricity prices and strain water supplies.
What followed was the night's viral moment. As moderators had the protester removed, Collins quipped: "So this is obviously one of Troy's supporters." Democratic challenger Troy Jackson shot back: "Oh, shut up. I didn't… I don't even know that kid." The two candidates did not acknowledge each other when the debate ended, and the Maine GOP called Jackson's comment "unacceptable behavior" in a social media post.
The exchange overshadowed a debate both campaigns had billed as crucial. Thursday's forum was the last of four meetings between Collins, who is seeking a sixth term, and Jackson, a former Maine Senate president — and the race could help decide which party controls the Senate next year. Public polls show the contest within the margin of error, and nonpartisan handicappers including the Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato's Crystal Ball all rate it a toss-up, as does the Fox News Power Rankings.
The data-center issue dogged both candidates all night — and all week. In Tuesday's debate they clashed over AI and data centers directly; Jackson said he is "not really supportive of data centers, but I understand it may be something that we have to deal with," while also charging that Collins is susceptible to donor influence on the issue, a claim she denied.
The debate also featured testy exchanges over the national debt, Collins' relationship with the Trump administration, and partisan division. Asked to name a time she defied her party, Collins cited organizing Republicans against Pete Hegseth's nomination as defense secretary — an effort she acknowledged failed when he was confirmed anyway. Jackson argued Collins votes with Trump whenever it counts: "100% of the time when Donald Trump goes to Susan Collins for a vote, he gets it."
With early voting underway and outside groups pouring millions into attack ads on both sides, the race remains a coin flip. Thursday night showed why: even a debate about data centers can turn into a shouting match when the Senate majority is on the line.