President Donald Trump is forging ahead with a trip to Maine on Friday, defying a direct plea from the state’s Democratic governor to stay home and concerns from Republicans his visit could hurt Senator Susan Collins’ re-election bid.
Trump’s visit is designed to tout his administration’s efforts to bolster coronavirus testing, as he seeks to reverse public opinion of his handling of the pandemic. It’s also a chance for the president to set foot in a key area for his re-election as his response to nationwide protests against police brutality continues to draw widespread criticism.
Yet the decision to visit the state puzzled some Republicans, who point out that Collins has sought to keep her distance from Trump as she faces an uphill struggle for a fifth term — a crucial race for the party to keep its narrow Senate majority. Colin Reed, a GOP strategist, said Collins would have to “outrun” Trump in Maine if she hopes to win again, and a presidential visit isn’t something her campaign would request. Continue reading.