Sen. Susan Collins enlists Manchin to woo Maine moderates as she distances herself from Trump

October 21, 2026 / 6:20 PM EDT / CBS News

Sen. Susan Collins enlists Manchin to woo Maine moderates as she distances herself from Trump

TL;DR

  • Senator Susan Collins is campaigning on a message of bipartisanship, highlighting her ability to work with anyone.
  • She held a breakfast event with former Democratic Senator Joe Manchin to appeal to Maine voters of all political stripes.
  • Collins is the sole Republican senator up for reelection in a state that voted for President Trump.
  • Her race is considered a toss-up, but she has a history of winning tough reelection battles.
  • Collins distanced herself from Trump's comments on Vladimir Putin, calling Putin a "warmonger" and a "thug."
  • She also expressed opposition to Trump's decision to waive sanctions on Russia and strike a diesel deal with Moscow.
  • Her Democratic opponent, Troy Jackson, and some voters, like Elaine Makas, are skeptical of her criticisms of Trump, suggesting she only opposes him when her vote doesn't matter.
  • Protesters gathered outside her event, referencing her vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.