Joe Manchin says he supports Republican candidates in battleground Senate races in Maine and Michigan

By Patrick Svitek, CNN

(CNN) — Former West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat-turned-independent, said Monday he supports two Republican Senate candidates running in battleground races in November.

During an appearance on CNBC, Manchin expressed support for former Rep. Mike Rogers, who is running for an open seat in Michigan, and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who is seeking reelection. Both races are crucial to whether the GOP will retain control of the Senate.

“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 of the time,” Manchin said, adding that he would campaign with the senator.

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.

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

At the same time, Manchin said Rogers “has to” denounce President Donald Trump’s trade policies to win his race, something the candidate has not done. “We’ll have to see,” Manchin said.

In Maine, Collins faces Democrat Troy Jackson, the former state Senate president who replaced embattled nominee Graham Platner on the ballot, as she fights for a sixth term in a state that Trump has lost three times. She highlighted Manchin’s remarks on social media and in a news release and said she was “honored” to have his support.

“Joe is a dear friend and trusted colleague with whom I have always worked closely to solve problems and deliver results for the people of Maine and America,” Collins said.

Rogers also said he was grateful for Manchin’s support, calling him a “true patriot” in an X post Monday afternoon.

In CNN polling released Wednesday, both the Maine and Michigan races were close, with no clear leader among likely voters.

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This story has been updated with additional details.