Joe Manchin to Campaign for Susan Collins in Maine's 1 Tight Senate Race

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 19

Joe Manchin will campaign in Maine on Wednesday for Republican Sen. Susan Collins, giving her an unusual cross-party boost as she seeks a sixth term in a tight race against Democrat Troy Jackson.
Manchin said the appearance is meant to show Collins is "not a Trump senator," pointing to her bipartisan record, support for his infrastructure law and past opposition to Republican efforts to repeal Obamacare.
The visit undercuts Chuck Schumer and Democrats' effort to cast Collins as a Trump rubber stamp, while Collins' team uses Manchin's backing to contrast her with Jackson's progressive surrogates.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is due in Maine 24 hours later for Jackson, joining earlier campaign help from Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders as both parties pour national figures into the contest.
The race has stayed close after candidate turmoil earlier this year, and Manchin's move fits his broader break with Democrats after leaving the party, retiring from the Senate and openly criticizing Schumer and other party leaders.