Joe Manchin, a former U.S. senator known for his centrist positioning and his transition to independent status during his final year in office, has formally endorsed Republican Senator Susan Collins for reelection in Maine. The endorsement, announced on Monday, adds a notable bipartisan dimension to the 2026 election cycle in the state.
Manchin, who served for years as a Democrat before shifting to an independent alignment, has frequently positioned himself as a bridge between the two major parties. His support for Collins, a long-serving Republican senator often viewed as a moderate within her party, underscores the focus on centrist voting blocs in the upcoming Maine contest. The endorsement was reported by the Portland Press Herald on September 14, 2026.
The move comes as candidates across the country begin to finalize their campaign strategies ahead of the general election. For Collins, the backing from a figure like Manchin may be intended to solidify support among independent voters and moderate Democrats who have historically played a decisive role in Maine’s electoral outcomes.