Vice President Vance’s Support for Sen. Collins in Maine
During a visit to Maine on Monday, Vice President JD Vance encouraged Republicans to back Sen. Susan Collins, who did not attend the rally due to an unspecified scheduling issue.
Vance went ahead and advocated for Collins, expressing his admiration for her commitment to her constituents. This underlying message suggests that the voters in this Democratic-leaning state could play a pivotal role in determining control of the Senate during the last two years of Trump’s term.
“Whenever I’m in Maine, I give Susan a little bit of trouble because, as you know, Susan is the most independent member of the United States Senate,” Vance remarked in Brewer, across the river from Bangor.
“As the president of the United States Senate, she often makes my job a bit tougher,” he added.
“But she makes it tougher because she shows up every single day, fighting not for a political party, but for the great people of Maine. I’ve seen this firsthand.”
Vance characterized Collins, who has served since 1997, as a frequent visitor at his residence in Washington, D.C., saying, “She’s been to my house probably a half dozen times.”
He praised her attention to detail, recalling how she consistently asks, “What does this do for Maine? How is this good for Maine? How is this bad for Maine?” He noted, “She works hard to secure as many benefits for the state as possible, all while minimizing the negatives—it’s really a tough job.”
As he called for applause for her, Vance said, “She does an amazing job, so please give it up for our very independent friend, Susan Collins.”
Collins explained in a recent interview that she had prior commitments on Monday, which is why she couldn’t join Vance.
Her race is one of the most competitive this year, and Republican leaders recognize the necessity of distancing her from Trump, whom she voted to convict during his 2021 impeachment trial.
If Republicans lose the Senate, it will complicate Trump’s ability to make appointments in the executive branch and judiciary, while Democrats would likely hinder his legislative agenda and investigate his conduct in office.
Her office did not clarify the specific scheduling issue but she recently spoke to local news, criticizing Trump’s new tariffs on Canada as “a mistake.”
“We produce a lot here in Maine—our blueberries, potatoes, lobster, and lumber—all of which are processed across the border,” Collins mentioned to News Center Maine. “If those products come back with a steep tariff, perhaps up to 50 percent, it just drives up the costs of our food, housing, and merchandise.”
Collins had also missed Vance’s previous visit to Bangor in May, during a Senate session, though the Senate is currently in its August recess.
Last month, Democrats nominated Troy Jackson, a former state lawmaker, to run against Collins after their previous nominee, Graham Platner, had to step down amid a series of scandals, including allegations of sexual misconduct and scrutiny over a Nazi tattoo.
