As J.D. Vance descends on Maine today, Susan Collins is doing everything she can to avoid being seen anywhere near him. It’s a strange bit of political theater from a senator who, just three months ago, couldn’t stop taking his calls.
In May, Vance traveled to Maine and sang Collins’ praises, and Collins returned the favor. Weeks later, Donald Trump endorsed her re-election bid. Now, with cameras rolling and Vance back on her turf, Collins is suddenly playing hard to get.
“Susan Collins can dodge J.D. Vance’s motorcade all she wants, but she can’t dodge her own record,” said American Bridge spokesperson Gus Nathanson. “She bragged about picking up the phone to lobby Vance on tariffs and got nothing to show for it. She had a cozy dinner with him right before she caved and backed Tulsi Gabbard. And she huddled with him again while providing the deciding vote to advance the bill that gutted Medicaid for Maine families. Collins has spent a year cutting deals with JD Vance behind closed doors, and the only thing she’s avoiding today is having to answer for it.”
Read more receipts:
- Collins said she leaned on Vance over tariffs and has nothing to show for it.
- Collins had dinner with Vance right before she caved and backed Tulsi Gabbard.
- Collins met with Vance while casting the pivotal vote to gut Medicaid in the Big Beautiful Bill.
Published: Aug 24, 2026