Maine Sen. Collins enlists ex-Democratic colleague Manchin in effort to highlight her independence

Maine Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins is campaigning with former Democratic colleague Joe Manchin in the final days of the election season. The joint appearance in Lewiston, Maine, is part of an effort by Collins to promote and reinforce her reputation as one of the most independent members of the Senate.

The strategy leverages Manchin's past status as a Democrat to visually and politically underscore Collins's cross-partisan appeal to voters as the election cycle draws to a close.