Full Breakdown
Joe Manchin Joins Susan Collins on Maine Campaign Trail
By Drooid · · How we work
Joint Campaign Stop Highlights Bipartisan Appeal
Former West Virginia senator Joe Manchin III traveled to Androscoggin County, Maine, on a Wednesday to campaign alongside Republican U.S. senator Susan Collins, who is seeking a sixth term. The pair visited a local hot-dog stand and a New Balance shoe factory, emphasizing their long-standing bipartisan partnership and urging Maine voters to support Collins as an “independent” voice in Washington.
Background: Collins’ Senate Tenure and the 2026 Race
Collins has served in the Senate since 1997 and has been repeatedly ranked as one of the most bipartisan members. She has highlighted a record of delivering federal projects to Maine, from hospitals to bridges, through her role on the Senate Appropriations Committee. In 2026 she faces a tight contest against Democratic nominee Troy Jackson, a former state Senate president and logger who has positioned himself as a progressive alternative. The race is viewed as pivotal for control of the U.S. Senate.
Data & Statistics
- Polling: A recent poll shows Jackson holding a narrow two-point lead over Collins, while another public poll released earlier in the campaign placed Collins ahead by a single digit.
- Fundraising: Campaign finance reports indicate Jackson has raised more than $20 million and trails Collins by less than $3 million.
Official Statements & Responses
Democratic challenger Jackson has repeatedly accused Collins of aligning with Trump, pointing to her votes on the impeachment trial and on judicial confirmations.
Criticism & Opposition
- Democratic attacks: Jackson and other Democratic operatives argue that Collins’ voting record on issues such as the Medicaid-cut bill and the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh demonstrates a willingness to support Trump-aligned policies.
- Veterans’ complaint: A group of Maine veterans filed an Federal Election Commission (FEC) complaint alleging that Collins’ campaign accepted contributions from a convicted defense contractor in exchange for earmarked naval research funding. Collins’ campaign dismissed the complaint as “partisan activism” lacking legal understanding.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Poll discrepancies: One poll shows Jackson ahead, while another shows Collins in the lead, leaving the true state of the race unclear.
- Funding transparency: The veterans’ allegation of a pay-to-play scheme has not been independently verified, and the campaign’s financial disclosures do not detail the alleged earmarked naval project.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I hope you know what you have. You have a gem. You have a national treasure,” — Washington. Joe Manchin, former senator
- “I am the most likely on either side of the aisle to oppose my party of any Senator serving. That’s because I support the policies when I think they’re right, I oppose them when I think they’re wrong,” — Susan Collins, senator
- “She’s not the Republican senator. She’s Maine’s senator.” — Mr. Manchin, former senator
- “This is a true blue-blooded Maine person who knows exactly where she came from,” — Washington. Joe Manchin, former senator
These statements capture the central narrative of a centrist former Democrat endorsing a Republican incumbent as both seek to portray bipartisan credibility amid a contested Senate race.