'I get frustrated with her': Vance's backhanded endorsement of Susan Collins in her own state

BANGOR, MAINE: Vice President JD Vance on Thursday, May 14, offered public praise for Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) during a visit to Bangor, Maine, even as he acknowledged disagreements with the longtime Republican senator.

The remarks come as Collins faces a highly competitive re-election campaign in one of the key battlegrounds that could determine control of the Senate.

Speaking at an event focused on anti-fraud investigations, Vance described Collins as an independent-minded lawmaker whose approach aligns with Maine voters.

The vice president also used the appearance to criticize Democratic Governor Janet Mills and promote broader Trump administration efforts targeting fraud in state programs.

JD Vance praises Susan Collins ahead of re-election fight

During his remarks, Vance said he occasionally wished Collins were more partisan but argued that her political independence makes her a strong fit for Maine.

“Here's the thing I'll say about Susan Collins, is sometimes I get frustrated with Susan Collins,” Vance said. “I almost wish that she was more partisan.”

“But the thing I love about Susan is she is independent because Maine is an independent state, and frankly, if she was as partisan as I sometimes wish that she was, she would not be a good fit for the people of Maine,” he added.

“So let's give a shoutout to Susan Collins, who's doing a great job.” Collins was not present at the event, as she remained in Washington for Senate votes.

Vance, who served alongside Collins in the Senate before becoming vice president, referred to her as his “friend.”

Collins is seeking another term in a race Democrats are targeting as they attempt to regain Senate control.

Her record has frequently placed her among the more moderate Republicans in the chamber, including her vote to convict President Donald Trump during his 2021 impeachment trial related to the January 6 Capitol attack.

Despite occasional breaks with Trump and Republican leadership, Collins has continued to support much of the GOP agenda. According to voting analyses referenced during the campaign, she has voted in line with Trump-backed positions roughly 95% of the time. 

JD Vance targets Gov Janet Mills and highlights anti-fraud push

While backing Collins, Vance also sharply criticized Mills during his speech, arguing that the state has not done enough to combat fraud. He said the issue should transcend party politics and urged cooperation with state officials despite political disagreements.

“I know you all don’t like Janet Mills,” Vance told the audience. “I don’t especially care for her, either, but I would love to work with the governor of Maine to stop the fraud that’s being perpetrated in this state. This should not be a red state or a blue state issue.”

Vance has recently taken a prominent role in the Trump administration’s anti-fraud initiatives. He announced on Wednesday that the administration would withhold $1.4 billion in Medicaid payments to California and warned that states failing to aggressively pursue fraud cases could risk losing federal funding.