# Maine Sen. Collins Uses Manchin to Highlight Independence

> Maine Sen. Collins partners with ex-Democrat Manchin to showcase her Senate independence amid Trump challenges.
- Title: Maine Sen. Collins Uses Manchin to Highlight Independence
- Summary: Maine Sen. Collins partners with ex-Democrat Manchin to showcase her Senate independence amid Trump challenges. Maine Sen. Collins leverages ex-Democrat…
- Keywords: susan collins, joe manchin, maine, democrat, republican, senate, election, trump, news, local, Sen, Collins
- Source: Seattletimes — https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/maine-sen-collins-enlists-ex-democratic-colleague-manchin-in-effort-to-highlight-her-independence
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: susan collins, joe manchin, maine, democrat, republican, senate, election, trump, news, local
## Collins Promotes Senate Independence
Maine Republican Susan Collins seeks to highlight her reputation as one of the most independent U.S. senators during election season.

> part of every piece of bipartisan legislation that passed and became law
## Collins Campaigns with Former Democrat Manchin
Collins spoke with Joe Manchin, a West Virginian who became an independent late in his career before retiring, to promote bipartisan cooperation.

> to lose Collins would be to lose the soul of the Senate
## Manchin Praises Collins' Independence
Manchin called Collins a 'true blue-blooded Maine person' who knows her roots and bucked Trump's policies.

> This is a true blue-blooded Maine person who knows exactly where she came from
## Jackson Challenges Collins in Election
Democrat Troy Jackson, a former state Senate president, faces Collins in a tough reelection race with limited campaign funds.

> Jackson got a late start on campaigning after the party’s initial nominee existed the race
## Collins' Independent Stance on Trump
Collins has broken with Trump over his impeachment and votes on Kavanaugh, positioning herself as a check on presidential power.

> She voted to convict him at his impeachment trial in 2021
## Democrats Target Collins' Trump Ties
Democrats argue Collins is too close to Trump, citing her support for Medicaid cuts and Kavanaugh confirmation.

> the state is in a healthcare crisis because of Susan Collins and Donald Trump
## Jackson Criticizes Collins' Policies
Jackson describes Collins as a 'rubber stamp' for Trump and criticizes her votes on Kavanaugh and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

> Jackson has described Collins as a 'rubber stamp' for the president
## Collins Distances from Trump Campaign
Collins claims she is 'not exactly his favorite senator' and avoids Trump's campaign efforts in Maine.

> She is not exactly his favorite senator
## Key takeaway

Maine Sen. Collins leverages ex-Democrat Manchin to emphasize her independent Senate stance against Trump.