Former Democrat Manchin backs Republican Susan Collins in Maine Senate race
Former Democratic senator Joe Manchin appeared in Maine to support Republican incumbent Susan Collins, countering Democratic efforts to unseat her.
Joe Manchin, who left the Democratic Party and retired from the Senate, joined Susan Collins on the campaign trail in Maine, offering her a rare endorsement from a former Democratic colleague. Collins, a Republican seeking a sixth term, is in a tight race with former state senator Troy Jackson, a Democrat who has attracted progressive support from leaders like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.
Manchin’s appearance directly rebuts Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s attempts to label Collins as a Trump loyalist, emphasizing her bipartisan achievements such as supporting the Biden-era infrastructure package and blocking efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The former senator reiterated his belief that a Republican Senate majority would preserve the filibuster, a stance he outlined in his memoir. Collins’s spokesperson framed the Manchin visit as evidence of her independent leadership and appeal to Maine voters.
Why it matters
Manchin’s endorsement could sway a pivotal Senate race and affect the balance of power in Washington.
How this story developed
- Sep 24 Collins holds narrow lead over Jackson in latest Maine Senate poll
- Sep 24 Donald Trump's net approval rating fell to minus 22.4 in Nate Silver’s tracker, the lowest point of any president at this stage since 1945.
- Oct 2 The Georgia Senate debate turned sharply personal as Ossoff pledged to repeal Trump-era tariffs and accused Collins of siding with the president. Collins defended the tax cuts tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and blamed the Inflation Reduction Act for inflation. Both candidates clashed over data-center subsidies, with Ossoff linking Collins to a billionaire donor and Collins returning the charge. The discussion also covered the ongoing conflict with Iran and a recent immigration raid at a Hyundai plant, while each candidate faced accusations of extremist associations.
- Oct 6 The first debate between Collins and Jackson is scheduled for Oct. 6.
- Oct 7 The first debate was held, with both candidates trading barbs and no clear winner emerging.
- Oct 9 A debate between Graham and Andrews is scheduled for October 11.
- Oct 11 President Trump announced a seven‑state rally tour starting on Oct. 1 ahead of the midterm elections.
- Oct 12 Collins publicly accused Ossoff of using Georgia to launch a 2028 presidential bid.
- Oct 14 Former President Barack Obama released a video endorsement for Troy Jackson.
- Oct 17 The candidates held their first televised debate.
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