An anti-data center protester interrupted the final Maine Senate race debate Thursday, sparking a testy exchange between Republican incumbent Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson. 

The scene unfolded about 15 minutes into the debate, as Collins (R-Maine) began to answer a question unrelated to the energy-intensive facilities that have become a top concern for many voters ahead of the midterm elections. 

“Senator Collins, I’m so sorry to interrupt,” the heckler shouted. “AI data centers are destroying our climate …  they are poisoning our water.”  

As the demonstrator was being dealt with by security, Collins quipped: “So this is obviously one of Troy’s supporters.”

“Oh, shut up,” Jackson shot back. “I did not … I didn’t … I don’t even know that kid.”

“Oh, right,” Collins responded, sarcastically. 

The topic did not come up in the debate Thursday night, but both candidates clashed over AI and data centers during a showdown earlier this week. 

“I’m not really supportive of data centers, but I understand it may be something that we have to deal with,” Jackson said during Tuesday’s debate. 

The former Maine Senate president expressed concern that the facilities could raise the price of electricity and negatively impact state’s water supply. 

Jackson further charged that Collins is susceptible to being influenced by her donors on the issue, a claim Collins denied. 

“Troy has repeatedly insulted my integrity,” the senator responded, noting that she supports federal legislation that encourages states to enact guardrails on data center construction – including mandating the companies behind the projects provide their own electricity and water for the facilities. 

“This is something that obviously we have to stop. We have to slow down,” Jackson said of data-center development.