By The American Tribune | Created at 2026-10-05 10:26:13 | Updated at 2026-10-05 11:29:33
1 hour ago
Former Democratic Senator Joe Manchin is going to bat for Republican Senator Susan Collins ahead of the midterms, giving Chuck Schumer’s party an unwelcome endorsement in a Senate race Democrats hope to win. The former West Virginia senator said he would campaign for Collins as she seeks another term representing Maine. He praised her willingness to work with colleagues across party lines. His support puts a longtime Democratic officeholder behind a Republican incumbent in a closely watched contest.
Manchin made the announcement during a September 14th appearance on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” He served in the Senate from 2010 until 2025 and became an independent during his final year in office. Collins is seeking a sixth term, with Democrats targeting her seat as they try to regain control of the chamber. The two former colleagues have worked together on several major legislative negotiations.
“You lose a Susan Collins of the Senate, you’re losing the soul of the Senate,” Manchin said. He described the Maine Republican as someone fellow lawmakers could approach and someone who tries to find practical solutions. His praise included a defense of her work behind the scenes, where senators negotiate legislation and try to assemble enough votes to move it through the chamber.
In a statement highlighting the endorsement, Collins’ campaign pointed to their work through the bipartisan Common Sense Coalition during the government shutdowns of 2013 and 2018. It also cited their involvement in the group that developed a framework for the 2020 COVID relief package. Both participated in negotiations over the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Collins thanked Manchin for his support and described him as a friend and trusted colleague.
Their partnership also included the effort that produced the Electoral Count Reform Act, which revised the rules governing congressional certification of presidential elections. The legislation clarified that the vice president’s role in that process is ceremonial. It also raised the threshold for lawmakers to object formally to a state’s electoral votes from one House member and one senator to one-fifth of each chamber.
Collins faces former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson in November, in a state President Donald Trump has lost in each of his three presidential campaigns. Jackson replaced far-left candidate Graham Platner as the Democratic nominee after Platner withdrew in July following a sexual assault allegation from a former girlfriend, which he denied. Manchin previously supported Collins during her last reelection campaign, crossing party lines while he was still a Democrat. Her campaign shared his latest remarks in a news release and on social media.
Watch Manchin explain his support for Collins here:
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Manchin also voiced support during the CNBC interview for former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, who is running for Michigan’s open Senate seat. Rogers faces Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed in the race to succeed retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters. Michigan currently has two Democratic senators, although Trump carried the state in 2016 and 2024. A Rogers victory would give Republicans a pickup in another state central to the fight for the Senate majority.
The discussion turned to whether Manchin would support Rogers and whether he would be comfortable with El-Sayed winning the seat. Manchin rejected the prospect of an El-Sayed victory and described Rogers as a personal friend. Asked about the Republican candidate, he gave a positive answer and praised his character. “I do support Mike Rogers,” Manchin said. “I think Mike Rogers is a good person. I think he’ll do a great job.”
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video.
