Former Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W. Va., is backing Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, in her bid for a sixth term. Manchin told CNBC's 'Squawk Box' that he plans to actively campaign for Collins, and he said he is 'absolutely' working with her to find an event that will work.
Manchin called Collins 'the soul of the Senate' and said, 'You lose Susan Collins of the Senate, you're losing the soul of the Senate, basically a person you can talk to, wants to do the right thing all the time.' Collins said the support from a 'very prominent Democratic centrist' shows how closely she has worked in a bipartisan way.
The race is one of the most competitive in the country. Collins is facing Democrat Troy Jackson, who became the nominee after Graham Platner withdrew after sexual assault allegations. A CNN/SSRS survey put Jackson ahead 48% to 45%, within the margin of error.
The stakes go beyond Maine. Republicans hold a 53-47 Senate majority, and Democrats need to flip four seats to take control. Maine is seen as one of the most winnable Republican-held seats, making Collins a key test of whether moderate, independent-minded politics still has an edge.
Why it matters: for Republicans, every seat matters in a narrow majority. For voters, the race is a reminder that the Senate rewards lawmakers who can win outside the party base, especially in states where independents can decide the outcome.
The bottom line: Manchin's endorsement is not a guarantee. But in a close race, even one high-profile crossover can matter when control of the chamber is on the line.