Former Democrat Senator Throws Support Behind Two GOP Senate Candidates

Former Sen. Joe Manchin says he’ll go to Maine to campaign for Susan Collins

“You lose the 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. Okay, now everybody says, "Oh, she doesn't…

— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) September 14, 2026

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Manchin, a longtime critic of extremes in both parties, served in the Senate from 2010-2025 and left the Democratic Party during his final months in office, arguing that the party’s brand had become “toxic.” He has remained involved in politics and launched a national effort in July to help elect more independents.

In the CNBC interview, Manchin praised Collins, Rogers and Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who is not up for reelection until 2028, as “independent, free-thinking Republicans, not completely crazy right or completely crazy left.”

Manchin previously crossed party lines as a Democrat in the Senate to support Collins in her last reelection campaign.

As for Michigan, Manchin said he hasn’t made any endorsements but called Rogers a “personal friend” and expressed a preference for him as the show’s host asked about Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed, an outspoken progressive.

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Wow! Former Democratic Senator Joe Manchin publicly endorsed Mike Rogers over Abdul El Sayed.

“I do support Mike Rogers… I think Mike Rogers is a good person. I think he’ll do a great job.”

The trend is growing. More and more Democrats are endorsing and campaigning for Mike… pic.twitter.com/mWpm1x7hn1

— Great Lakes HQ (@GreatLakes_HQ) September 14, 2026

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Democratic U.S. Sen. Gary Peters is not seeking reelection, and Rogers and El-Sayed are running to succeed him. Michigan’s other U.S. Senate seat is held by Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin, who was elected in 2024.

Although El-Sayed is not a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, prominent progressive politicians—including independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—have campaigned with him. El-Sayed also previously campaigned with political commentator Hasan Piker, who said in 2019 that “America deserved 9/11.” Since winning the primary on Aug. 4, El-Sayed has tried to distance himself from Piker.

Michigan is led by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who cannot run again because of term limits. Voters will elect her successor in November. She served as a co-chair of former Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign, but Michigan’s 15 electoral votes went to Donald Trump.

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