Former Top Democrat Makes Unexpected Move In Major Senate Race– trendingpoliticsnews.com
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EXCERPT:
Former Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin is crossing party lines to campaign alongside Republican Sen. Susan Collins in Maine, delivering a significant boost to the GOP incumbent as she fights to retain her seat in one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate races.
Collins’ campaign confirmed Monday that Manchin, who represented West Virginia for more than a decade before leaving the Democratic Party, will join her Wednesday for campaign appearances in Lewiston and Norway.
The unusual alliance comes just two weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, when Republicans will attempt to maintain control of the Senate against a determined Democratic effort to flip several competitive seats.
Collins is seeking a sixth term against Democrat Troy Jackson, a former Maine Senate president who has attracted support from prominent progressive figures, including Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
Manchin, who became an independent in 2024 before retiring from Congress, has emerged as an outspoken defender of Collins despite her Republican affiliation.
The former senator endorsed Collins in September, describing her as “the soul of the Senate” and praising her willingness to work across party lines.