Susan Collins campaigned in Lewiston with former Sen. Joe Manchin, presenting their cross-party relationship as evidence that she can represent voters across political lines. Manchin called her an American senator for Maine, while Collins emphasized disagreements with President Trump over Russia and the Iran war. The race is rated a toss-up, and Democratic opponent Troy Jackson disputes the sincerity of Collins’ criticism, pointing to her role on appropriations. Protesters and supporters made their opposing views visible outside the event. No new fees, paperwork, compliance rules, or policy deadlines were announced; voters will weigh the candidates’ records and arguments as the campaign continues.
TLDR: Collins used a joint campaign appearance with Joe Manchin to stress her independence and appeal across party lines. Her comments on Russia and Iran drew attention, while Troy Jackson and local protesters questioned whether her actions match her criticism of Trump.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins brought former Sen. Joe Manchin to a campaign stop in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday, using their cross-party relationship to make a case to voters across the political spectrum. The event featured breakfast sandwiches and a roomful of Maine voters. Manchin, a Democrat-turned-independent who retired from the Senate in 2024, described Collins as an American senator who represents her state rather than either major party.
The campaign rationale was clear: Collins presented herself as someone able to sit across the table from people with different political views. The visit also gave her a chance to emphasize disagreements with President Trump as she seeks a sixth term.
Collins is the only Republican senator up for reelection in a state Trump lost. CBS News rates the race a toss-up. Her electoral record includes a win by more than eight points in 2020, when Trump lost Maine by nine points. She has previously survived difficult reelection contests and won by more than other Republicans.
Manchin’s support carries a specific political message. He represented deep-red West Virginia in the Senate before leaving the Democratic Party and retiring. Both he and Collins have clashed with members of their respective parties, according to the account of the campaign stop. His presence offered Collins a prominent example of a politician who has crossed party lines while presenting herself as independent-minded.
The event did not erase questions about how Collins’ statements match her votes. Her Democratic opponent, Troy Jackson, has argued that her criticism of Trump is not sincere. Jackson pointed to her role as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and said she could use funding decisions to oppose the war. He argued that she had not done so because Trump supported the conflict.
Collins has said she frequently votes against Trump’s wishes. She has also criticized his handling of the Iran war, saying in debates that he did not have a good plan and that the conflict should end. Jackson’s challenge places the focus not only on her public criticism but on whether her actions in office support it.
Questions about Trump surfaced during Collins’ visit to a local New Balance factory. She was asked about Trump envoy Steve Witkoff describing Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “humanitarian” after the release of a jailed U.S. citizen. Manchin shook his head at the question. Collins answered “no,” then called Putin a warmonger and a thug and described him as the aggressor in the war against Ukraine.
Collins also said she opposed Trump’s decision to waive new sanctions on Russia and strike a deal to import Russian diesel from Moscow. She argued the arrangement would give Russia more funding for its attack on Ukraine. Those comments put her at odds with the president on a foreign-policy issue, though they do not resolve Jackson’s broader criticism about her record on funding the Iran war.
The campaign stop drew disagreement outside the event as well. Protesters called for Collins to retire and displayed signs and cutouts bearing the face of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a reference to Collins’ vote to confirm him. Collins’ supporters, dressed in red, chanted “six more years” as she emerged to speak with reporters. Her tour bus blocked the demonstrators from view.
Elaine Makas, a Lewiston Democrat and former state legislator, took part in the protest. She said she was grateful for Collins’ service and considered her a nice person, but argued that Collins’ votes were the central issue. Makas said she believed Collins had fallen in line with the president and disagreed with him only when her vote did not matter. She said she knew Jackson from their time in the Legislature and believed he would listen to Mainers.
The practical stakes described in the campaign coverage are political rather than administrative. No new fees, forms, compliance requirements, enforcement measures, or policy deadlines were announced at the event. The direct decision ahead for Maine voters is whether to return Collins for a sixth term; the account does not specify an election date. The campaign will continue, and voters will weigh Collins’ statements, her voting record, and Jackson’s criticism as the race proceeds. Those are the necessary steps in the electoral process, and the candidates’ claims remain subject to public scrutiny.
Lila Hayes serves as a Staff Writer for Just Right News, where she anchors the “Courts, Law, and Constitutional Order” beat. Her work is defined by a steadfast commitment to the foundational principles of the American republic and a rigorous defense of the legal frameworks that ensure national stability. As a primary voice for the outlet, she provides readers with a clear-eyed analysis of the judiciary, focusing on the importance of originalism and the preservation of the separation of powers.
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