Overview
- During the fourth and final debate on Thursday night a protester interrupted, Sen. Susan Collins called the demonstrator “obviously one of Troy’s supporters,” and Troy Jackson answered onstage, “Oh, shut up. I don’t even know that kid.”
- Jackson told CNN he will not apologize, saying Collins wrongly accused him of arranging the interruption and that he has otherwise behaved courteously after debates.
- The Sunrise Movement posted that the demonstrator was one of its volunteers, but the protester, identified as Bowdoin student Henry Elgie, told reporters he had “zero coordination” with Jackson’s campaign and does not know him.
- Coverage split along partisan lines with conservative outlets faulting liberal shows for downplaying the moment and some mainstream hosts treating the clip lightly on air.
- The exchange lands as early voting is underway in a narrow, high‑spend Maine Senate race where Jackson reports a large fundraising edge and both campaigns are focused on turnout and closing messaging that could affect control of the Senate.