Manchin bucks Schumer, throws support behind Republican Democrats want to oust

A top Senate Republican whom Democrats are salivating at the chance to unseat is getting an unexpected assist from a former member of their own party, delivering a political snub to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Former Sen.

Joe Manchin, who left the Democratic Party to become an independent before retiring from the Senate, is making a swing into Maine to support Sen.

Susan Collins, R-Maine, the lawmaker’s campaign confirmed to Fox News Digital.

Collins is locked in a tight race against former Maine state Sen.

Troy Jackson as she seeks a sixth term in the upper chamber.

The race has remained close after it was shaken up earlier this year when Graham Platner dropped out after a sexual assault allegation rocked his campaign. 'OH, SHUT UP!': DEMOCRAT SNAPS AT COLLINS AFTER HECKLER DRIVES MAINE SENATE DEBATE OFF THE RAILS Manchin’s visit on the trail with Collins, first reported by Semafor, comes as Schumer and Democrats have tried to paint Collins as a rubber stamp for President Donald Trump, though she has often broken with the president during his second term, most notably on his signature legislation, the "one big, beautiful bill." Manchin told the outlet that his appearance alongside Collins, whom he served with during the entirety of his career in the upper chamber, was meant to demonstrate to Maine voters that Collins has a bipartisan track record that was instrumental in advancing key legislation, like his infrastructure package passed under former President Joe Biden, and blocking Trump’s policy desires, like repealing Obamacare.

SCHUMER’S ‘NUMBER ONE TARGET’ SAYS VOTERS WILL SEE HER DEMOCRAT SENATE CHALLENGER AS TOO EXTREME "She is not a Trump senator," Manchin said.

His foray onto the campaign trail in Maine on Wednesday will come just 24 hours before another major surrogate for Democrats will make her way to Vacationland: Rep.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Jackson has had other progressive heavyweights join him on the campaign stump, too, including Sens.

Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

"Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez represent the far left of the national Democratic Party," Collins spokeswoman Blake Kernan told Fox News Digital.

"That they are all campaigning in Maine for Troy Jackson tells voters exactly how he would govern." SCHUMER SAYS HE'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE, BUT HIS OWN CANDIDATES AREN'T READY TO BACK HIM "Senator Manchin campaigning for Senator Collins is a testament to her record of effective, independent leadership and commitment delivering results that have greatly benefited Maine and America," she continued.