Chris Siennick, who plans to run as a socialist candidate in November's Harrisburg mayoral election, stepped in front of live TV cameras during Tuesday's debate to promote his campaign.

The 27-year-old, who interrupted the debate with his skateboard in hand, said he had participated in past events but wasn't invited to the debate sponsored by CBS21 and PennLive at the Harrisburg Area Community College.

"I figured I had to crash the party a little bit," Siennick said, in an interview after the debate.

Harrisburg mayoral candidate Lewis Butts, right, with 'party crasher' Chris Siennick after Tuesday's debate.

"That's entertaining," mayoral candidate Lewis Butts said, after the debate. "The ratings are going to go through the roof."

Butts, one of four candidates challenging Mayor Eric Papenfuse in the May 16 Democratic primary, approached Siennick after the debate to congratulate him.

Siennick, who plans to run to run as an independent socialist, said his party's platform centers around "ending imperialistic wars and making sure communities work together."

He also highlighted the impact of police shootings, such as the 2016 death of Earl Pinckney, aka Leek Moss, on residents. Dauphin County District Attorney Ed Marsico said the police officer's actions were justified in that incident.

Tuesday's debate was hosted for participants in the May 16 Democratic mayoral primary. Siennick plans to run in November's general election.

A Midtown resident for the past seven years, Siennick said he just wanted to be heard.

Last month, a state trooper was sentenced to prison for a 2015 incident in which he kicked a handcuffed Siennick in the face.

"I am famous for my gumption in a couple of different actions," Siennick said Tuesday, "but I've never crashed a live television debate before."