Former Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) announced Monday he will campaign for Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and support former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) in their respective Senate races. Both endorsements come as Collins seeks reelection and Rogers competes for an open seat in Michigan, contests that could influence Senate control in November.
Manchin, who left the Democratic Party in 2024 and registered as an independent, made the remarks during an appearance on CNBC’s Squawk Box. He described Collins as a rare figure in the Senate whose bipartisan approach he values.
“You lose the Susan Collinses of the Senate, you’re losing the soul of the Senate — basically, a person you can talk to, who wants to do the right thing all the time,” Manchin said. “[She’s] a person you can sit down with and talk to, and she wants to do the right thing.”
Manchin also praised Rogers, calling him a “good person” and expressing confidence in his ability to serve. “I do support Mike Rogers,” Manchin said. “I think Mike Rogers is a good person. I think he’ll do a great job.” He added that Rogers “has to” address concerns about President Donald Trump’s trade policies to win his race, though he did not elaborate on the implications.
Collins faces Democratic challenger Troy Jackson in Maine’s November election. Jackson, a former Maine Senate president, secured the nomination at a July convention after the primary winner, Graham Platner, ended his campaign. In Michigan, Rogers is running against Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive former gubernatorial candidate.
Manchin, who leads the Independent Leadership Council, has made electing independents a priority but emphasized his support for candidates he believes can work across party lines. He also highlighted Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) as another “independent, free-thinking Republican” he trusts for bipartisan collaboration.
The former senator’s endorsements reflect his long-standing criticism of political extremes in both parties. He served in the Senate from 2010 to 2025 and argued during his final months in office that the Democratic Party’s brand had become “toxic.” His recent efforts focus on promoting independent candidates, though he has not ruled out backing non-partisan figures who align with his priorities.
Collins and Rogers are among the candidates Manchin has previously crossed party lines to support. Collins won reelection in 2020 with Manchin’s backing, and he has described her as a pragmatic leader willing to engage with opponents.
The races in Maine and Michigan are among several Senate contests that could determine whether Republicans retain their narrow majority in the chamber. Democrats need to flip at least one seat to regain control, while Republicans aim to defend their current advantage.
Manchin’s endorsements add a high-profile voice to the campaigns, though their impact on voter sentiment remains uncertain. Both Collins and Rogers have emphasized their records of working across party lines, positioning themselves as alternatives to more ideologically driven candidates in their respective states.