Former Sen. Joe Manchin is heading back onto the campaign trail, and this time the former Democrat from West Virginia will be working to help a Republican. Manchin plans to travel to Maine to support Sen. Susan Collins as she fights for another term, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The move puts Manchin into one of the races that could help determine the outcome of the Senate. It also gives Collins an unexpected assist from someone who once belonged to the party now trying to defeat her.

Manchin left the Democratic Party to become an independent before retiring from the Senate. His planned appearance with Collins offers a pointed political snub to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democrats targeting the Maine Republican.

Joe Manchin is heading to Maine to campaign for Republican Sen. Susan Collins — a sharp rebuke to Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Party he left behind.

The former Democrat-turned-independent told Semafor that Collins "is not a Trump senator," pointing to her bipartisan record and her break with the president on the "one big, beautiful bill." His appearance on the trail Wednesday comes just 24 hours before Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez arrives in Maine to stump for Collins' Democratic challenger, Troy Jackson. Collins' campaign wasted no time drawing the contrast: "Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez represent the far left of the national Democratic Party. That they are all campaigning in Maine for Troy Jackson tells voters exactly how he would govern." Story here: https://t.co/496BaEltXw — Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) October 19, 2026

Collins is seeking a sixth term in the upper chamber. She is locked in a tight contest against former Maine state Sen. Troy Jackson, making Manchin’s decision to campaign for her especially notable.

Warning: Account balances and purchasing power no longer tell the same story. Know in 2 minutes if your retirement is working for you.

The race underwent a major change earlier this year when Graham Platner dropped out. His departure followed a sexual assault allegation that rocked his campaign, leaving Jackson as the Democrat now battling Collins.

Collins’ campaign confirmed Manchin’s appearance to Fox News Digital. His trip into Maine was first reported by Semafor, and he is scheduled to join Collins on the campaign trail Wednesday.

The visit comes as Schumer and other Democrats have attempted to portray Collins as a rubber stamp for President Donald Trump. That line runs into the inconvenient reality that Collins has often broken with Trump during his second term.

One of her most notable breaks with the president involved his signature one big, beautiful bill. Despite those disagreements, Democrats are still working to connect Collins closely to Trump as they pursue her Senate seat.

FREE Gun Law Map: Laws Don't Pause During Social Unrest

Manchin’s arrival also comes just 24 hours before another prominent political surrogate is scheduled to visit Maine. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is set to travel to the state to help the Democratic side of the contest.

Jackson has already received campaign support from other major progressive figures. Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont have both joined him on the campaign trail.

The contrasting appearances offer Maine voters a clear picture of the political camps lining up around the race. Manchin, who left the Democrat Party and became an independent, is supporting Collins while progressive heavyweights rally behind Jackson.

Manchin’s support for Collins is hardly mysterious because both politicians are considered moderates. Their political styles provide a natural basis for Manchin to step into the race on her behalf despite his history as a Democrat.

Collins has never enjoyed broad support among conservatives. In this election cycle, however, conservatives are supporting her because they view the alternative as far worse.

The alliance is certain to further aggravate Democrats who already resented Manchin for abandoning their party. Now, instead of quietly remaining on the sidelines after his Senate retirement, he is actively helping a Republican whom Democrats are eager to unseat.

For Schumer, the optics are particularly unpleasant. A former member of his own party is campaigning to protect a Republican Senate seat while Ocasio-Cortez, Warren, and Sanders work to push the Maine race in the opposite direction.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of BoredTrashPanda.com. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.