Manchin Endorses Collins, Rogers Over Democrats
Manchin Endorses Collins, Rogers Over Democrats
The News
Former Sen. Joe Manchin said Monday he is backing two Republicans in November's battleground Senate races — Susan Collins in Maine and Mike Rogers in Michigan.
Manchin, the West Virginia Democrat-turned-independent who left his party at the end of his Senate career, praised Collins as the "soul of the Senate" and said he plans to campaign with her in Maine.
Both seats are central to control of the Senate, and both races are rated competitive.
Who He's Backing Against
Collins is seeking a sixth term against Democrat Troy Jackson, the former Maine Senate president, who supports Medicare for All and dismantling Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Hill described Jackson as her progressive challenger in what is expected to be one of the cycle's most competitive races.
In Michigan, Manchin said of Rogers: "I do support Mike Rogers. I think Mike Rogers is a good person." Asked whether he would be OK with Rogers's Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, becoming a senator, Manchin answered no.
Timeline
Manchin leaves the Democratic Party and finishes his career as an independent from West Virginia.
Manchin endorses Collins, calling her the "soul of the Senate," and says he intends to campaign alongside her in Maine.
In the same round of comments, Manchin says he supports Rogers in Michigan and rules out backing El-Sayed, while telling Rogers he "has to" oppose President Trump's trade policies to win the state.
Reactions
Manchin grouped Collins, Rogers and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski together as "independent, free-thinking Republicans" — the category he has long said Washington needs more of.
Coverage split along predictable lines. Left-leaning outlets led with the cross-party symbolism of a former Democrat endorsing Collins; right-leaning outlets led with his refusal to accept El-Sayed, the Michigan Democrat.
Neither Collins's nor Jackson's campaigns were quoted in Monday's reports.
What's Next
Manchin said he intends to campaign with Collins in Maine. No dates have been announced.
The open question in Michigan is whether Rogers takes Manchin's advice — he has not explicitly broken with Trump's tariffs, which is exactly what Manchin said he must do to win.
Both races run to the November general election, with no clear polling leader in either.
Poll
Does Manchin's endorsement help Susan Collins?
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