Former Senator Joe Manchin is scheduled to campaign for Senator Susan Collins in Maine as the state’s fiercely contested Senate race enters its final stage. Manchin’s upcoming visit is designed to push back against intense Democratic attacks framing Collins as a reliable supporter of Donald Trump.
Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have heavily targeted Collins over her legislative record and votes for Trump’s nominees. Critics frequently cite statistics claiming Collins votes in alignment with Trump 90 percent or more of the time. However, Manchin forcefully dismissed those figures during a recent statement, calling the statistics misleading because they are heavily weighted by routine nominee votes. He emphasized that his trip to Maine is dedicated to debunking the narrative that Collins acts as an enabler for Trump, stating firmly that she is not a Trump senator.
To support his defense, Manchin pointed to specific legislative achievements, including the Electoral Count Act—a measure Collins sponsored to prevent future attempts to block certified election results like the events of Jan. 6. The two former colleagues also worked together closely on the bipartisan infrastructure law during their time serving alongside each other in Washington.
Collins welcomed the endorsement, highlighting their history of legislative cooperation across the aisle. She noted their joint efforts to end government shutdowns, secure critical COVID-19 relief, and pass the infrastructure package. Emphasizing her independent streak, Collins stated that the Senate needs more individuals willing to put partisanship aside, listen to differing perspectives, and deliver tangible results for the public.
While Collins has frequently broken with her party on high-profile matters—such as opposing the 2017 tax cuts law and voting against the confirmation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as well as helping sink the repeal of Obamacare in 2017—her opponent’s campaign remains unimpressed. Democratic challenger Jackson has argued that Collins’s opposition to Trump is often non-decisive.
Manchin’s high-profile appearance in Maine provides a distinct contrast to the progressive surrogates rallying behind Jackson. While Manchin steps in to bolster the incumbent Republican, Jackson’s campaign features visits from prominent progressive figures, including Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, alongside a scheduled town hall event with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
