Vice President J.D. Vance visited Maine on Monday, urging Republicans to support Sen. Susan Collins, whom he described as his "very independent friend." However, Collins was unable to attend the rally, citing an unspecified scheduling conflict. Vance proceeded to campaign for her in Brewer, emphasizing her dedication to constituents in the Democratic-leaning state.
Vance characterized Collins as the "most independent member of the United States Senate," noting that her independent approach sometimes makes his job as president of the Senate more challenging. He praised her for prioritizing the needs of Maine's residents over party loyalty, stating, "She comes to work every single day and she fights for the great people of Maine."
Describing Collins, 73, as a frequent guest at his Washington residence, Vance highlighted her deep engagement with the details of her work. "She’s always asking, 'What does this do for Maine? How is this good for Maine? How is this bad for Maine?'" Vance said, adding that she strives to secure benefits for the state while mitigating potential drawbacks.
Collins previously missed a Vance visit to Bangor in May, when the Senate was in session. The Senate is currently in its annual August recess.
Collins' race is considered one of the most competitive this year, with Republican leaders acknowledging the necessity for her to distance herself from former President Donald Trump. Collins voted to convict Trump in his 2021 impeachment trial. A Republican loss of Senate control could impede Trump's ability to make executive and judicial appointments and empower Democrats to block his legislative agenda and pursue investigations.
Her office did not immediately provide details about the scheduling conflict. However, Collins recently voiced her opposition to Trump's new tariffs on Canada in a local interview, calling them "a mistake." She noted that the tariffs would increase costs for Maine products like blueberries, potatoes, and lobster processed across the border.
Last month, Democrats nominated former state lawmaker Troy Jackson to challenge Collins. The party's initial nominee, Graham Platner, withdrew after facing accusations of sexual misconduct and scrutiny over a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol.