In the closely watched Senate race in Maine, Republican incumbent Susan Collins has enlisted the support of former Senator Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat-turned-independent, as she seeks a sixth term in office. Collins and Manchin campaigned together on Wednesday in Lewiston, aiming to highlight their bipartisan legislative record in an effort to appeal to voters amid a challenging political environment for Republicans.
Collins, 73, is facing a competitive race against Democrat Troy Jackson, a former state Senate president. Jackson has ramped up his campaign efforts, drawing large crowds and raising more than $20 million in recent months, though he still trails Collins in fundraising by a few million dollars. The race is considered crucial in determining control of the U.S. Senate in the upcoming midterms.
Manchin praised Collins as “the soul of the Senate,” commending her independent approach and willingness to reach across the aisle. He criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for targeting Collins in the Democratic effort to flip the seat, calling Schumer's opposition to Collins “crazy.” Manchin emphasized that lawmakers like Collins, who worked with him on bipartisan initiatives such as the 2021 infrastructure package and the 2022 Electoral Count Act revisions, are vital to the Senate's functionality.
Collins has sought to distance herself from former President Donald Trump, highlighting votes and positions where she broke with the administration, including her 2021 Senate impeachment vote to convict Trump. However, Democrats continue to characterize her as closely aligned with Trump, focusing on her support for certain Trump-backed measures, such as efforts around Medicaid and Supreme Court nominations. Jackson has portrayed Collins as out of touch with working-class voters and a “rubber stamp” for Trump policies, criticisms that Collins rejects.
At the campaign event, Collins and Manchin visited local businesses, including a well-known hot dog stand and a New Balance shoe factory, reinforcing Collins’ image as a Maine-focused and moderate Republican. Collins has also distanced herself from a Republican super PAC attack ad targeting Jackson’s character, asking for the ad to be taken down.
The campaign has featured several heated debates, with Trump’s policies and influence frequently at the center. Collins emphasized her bipartisan record during these exchanges, while Jackson highlighted her ties to Trump’s agenda and Supreme Court justice confirmations, including Brett Kavanaugh, which remain points of contention among Maine voters.
Jackson plans to campaign with progressive New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Portland, signaling continued Democratic efforts to broaden their coalition against Collins. Meanwhile, Collins aims to maintain her standing as the only Republican senator from New England by underscoring her reputation for independence and pragmatic governance.
As the November 3 election approaches, the contest reflects broader national dynamics, including voter fatigue with the status quo and debates over health care, economic conditions, and party loyalty. Both campaigns are intensifying efforts to sway undecided voters in a state that has trended more Democratic in recent years but has historically valued moderate Republican representation.