Politics
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U.S. Sen. Susan Collins will not attend Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Brewer on Monday, according to her campaign.
The Republican told reporters at a weekend parade that she would not attend, but a News Center Maine reporter said the campaign didn’t rule it out afterward. Campaign spokesperson Shawn Roderick confirmed Monday that Collins will not be there, saying she has a “great working relationship” with Vance but has a “personal schedule” that will keep her away.
Collins’ absence comes as Maine Republicans split over how closely to align with Vance ahead of the 2026 midterms. Former Gov. Paul LePage, a candidate for the 2nd Congressional District that went three times for President Donald Trump, is expected to attend. Bobby Charles, the GOP nominee for governor, is skipping the event, according to the Portland Press Herald.
American Bridge, a Democratic-aligned super PAC, argued Collins is dodging Vance in person while pointing to past dealings between the two, including a dinner before Collins voted to confirm Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence.
Vance last visited Maine in May, rallying in Bangor for both LePage and Collins, although he recognized that the senator does not always agree with Trump’s policies.