Vice President JD Vance recently joked about his persuasive abilities, telling an audience in Maine that he managed to convince his wife, Usha, to allow him to pursue his political career while also expanding their family. "You can have one of two things. You can be VP, or you can have a fourth child," Vance recalled his wife telling him before he became vice president. "Ladies and gentlemen, I must be pretty persuasive, because I got both," he added, referencing the birth of their fourth child, Alec, in July. The birth of Alec Neel Vance on July 19 marked the first time a sitting vice president has welcomed a child into the office in 156 years.
Vance's remarks in Brewer, Maine, at the manufacturing facility of defense technology company CompoTech, were also notable for the absence of Republican Senator Susan Collins. A campaign spokesman stated Collins had a prior personal schedule, though she has maintained a "great working relationship with the Vice President." Vance publicly acknowledged Collins during his speech, praising her independent approach and dedication to her constituents. "She is coming to work every single day and fighting not for a political party...she fights for the great people of Maine," Vance said.
This instance follows a previous occasion in May when Collins also missed a Vance visit to Maine. At that time, Vance expressed occasional frustration with Collins's independence, noting, "I almost wish that she was more partisan. But the thing I love about Susan is she is independent, because Maine is an independent state." He acknowledged that her independent stance aligns with the character of Maine.
Collins is currently engaged in a challenging reelection campaign in Maine. Historically, she has sometimes diverged from key aspects of the Trump administration's agenda, including trade policies affecting Canada, which borders Maine. She also opposed several Trump administration nominees.
During his Maine visit, Vance also campaigned with former Governor Paul LePage, who is running for a congressional seat in Maine's second district. The National Republican Congressional Committee has supported LePage's candidacy, contrasting his platform with that of his opponent, Matt Dunlap, by stating LePage will focus on bringing jobs back to Maine and lowering taxes.