Politics · United States · 4 hrs ago
Susan Collins campaigns with Joe Manchin as she distances herself from Trump
Susan Collins campaigned with Joe Manchin in Maine as she seeks a sixth term in the US Senate.
Collins, a Republican, is facing a challenge from Democrat Troy Jackson.
She has won tough races before, including in 2020, when she won by more than eight points even as Trump lost Maine.
Manchin, a former senator who is now an independent, praised Collins as independent and focused on Maine.
Collins criticized Trump’s Russia policy and called Russian President Vladimir Putin a warmonger, while saying she opposes a decision to waive new sanctions on Russia.
Jackson and some protesters said her breaks with Trump are not enough, arguing that her voting record shows she remains too aligned with him.
The race is described as a toss-up, and Collins is making her case to voters as the election approaches.
Susan Collins campaigned in Maine with former Democratic senator Joe Manchin as she seeks a sixth term.
Collins is presenting herself as independent from President Donald Trump and able to work across party lines.
Manchin endorsed Collins and praised her independence and record of representing Maine.
Democratic challenger Troy Jackson and local protesters argued that Collins has supported Trump too often.
Collins criticized Trump’s positions on Russia and the Iran war during campaign events.
- Who
- Republican Sen. Susan Collins campaigned with Joe Manchin. Collins is seeking reelection against Democrat Troy Jackson.
- What
- Collins and Manchin appeared together to promote Collins’s independence and appeal to voters across political lines.
- When
- Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
- Where
- Lewiston and Norway, Maine.
- Why
- Collins is seeking a sixth term and is trying to persuade voters that she is independent of Trump.
Susan Collins and her supporters
Troy Jackson and Collins’s critics
Independence from Trump
Susan Collins and her supporters
Collins says she often votes against Trump’s wishes and has criticized his positions.
Troy Jackson and Collins’s critics
Jackson and critics say Collins has fallen in line with Trump and that her criticisms are not sincere.
Record and representation
Susan Collins and her supporters
Manchin praised Collins as an independent senator who fights for Maine’s interests.
Troy Jackson and Collins’s critics
Jackson argues Collins should use her position to cut funding for the war, and protesters say her votes are wrong.
Collins won reelection by more than 8 points while Trump lost Maine by 9 points.
Collins voted to convict Trump at his impeachment trial.
Collins said she was “not exactly his favorite senator.
Collins campaigned with Manchin in Lewiston and visited a New Balance facility in Norway.
Jackson was scheduled to campaign in Portland with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
- Senate seat
- Susan Collins is seeking a sixth term.
- Opponent
- Troy Jackson, a Democrat and former state Senate president.
- Campaign event
- Collins and Joe Manchin met voters in Lewiston on October 21, 2026.
- Race rating
- CBS News rated the race a toss-up.
- 2020 result
- Collins won by more than 8 points; Trump lost Maine by 9 points.
3 sources
Collins enlists Manchin to woo moderates as she distances herself from Trump
Republican Sen. Collins promotes her independence and ‘true blue-blooded Maine’-ness by partnering with ex-Dem. Joe Manchin and breaking from Trump
Manchin calls Schumer 'crazy' for trying to oust GOP senator in crucial Senate showdown
What people are saying
She's not a Trump senator. She's not a Republican senator or a Democrat senator
to lose Collins would be “to lose the soul of the Senate.
She's the chair of appropriations. If she wants to stop the war, she can cut the funding off for the war
She's fallen completely in line with the president.