The Washington Times

Sen. Bernie Sanders campaigned across Maine this weekend for Democrat Troy Jackson, who is running a dead-heat race against five-term Republican Sen. Susan Collins. At stops in Bangor, Lewiston and Biddeford, Sanders and Jackson tied high living costs, gas and heating prices, and health care expenses to Republican control of Congress, while Sanders called President Trump "the most dangerous president in the history of America."

Jackson, a fifth-generation logger and state legislator, pitched himself as a working-class candidate who has struggled with his own mortgage and medical bills, and pointed to his record expanding free school lunches and gun background checks. Both candidates backed Sanders-style proposals including universal health care, taxing billionaires, and funding affordable housing and child care. Collins, 73, has previously outperformed polling but faces headwinds from inflation, an unpopular war in the Middle East and Trump-related voter fatigue, even among traditionally moderate Mainers. Polls currently show the race tied ahead of the November 3 election.

Sen. John Fetterman, Pennsylvania Democrat, is facing sharp criticism from within his own party after recording a video message for the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, praising GOP Sen. Dave McCormick as a colleague who "gets the job done." Rep. Madeleine Dean, also of Pennsylvania, called the move a "stunt" and said she is "gravely disappointed," adding that constituents who campaigned for Fetterman are "livid." Rep. Brendan Boyle renewed his past description of Fetterman as "Trump's favorite Democrat."

The backlash reflects broader frustration over Fetterman's ideological shift since 2022, including frequent votes aligned with President Trump and his lone defense within the party of Trump's actions toward Iran. Dean also criticized his reduced engagement with Senate duties, echoing a recent Wall Street Journal report on his disinterest in hearings and constituent meetings, which Fetterman dismissed as a hit piece. A group of former staffers has said it will soon release further details about his conduct in office. Fetterman maintains he has no plans to leave the Democratic Party.