Vance rallies Maine Republicans for LePage, Collins in midterm push

Vice President JD Vance rallied Maine Republicans on Monday, August 24, 2026, campaigning for former Governor Paul LePage and other GOP candidates while criticizing Democrats and the state's handling of Medicaid fraud. The event at Compotech, a defense manufacturer in Brewer, marked Vance's second visit to Maine this year and highlighted key races ahead of the midterm elections. Vance's primary focus was boosting LePage, the Republican nominee for Maine's 2nd Congressional District, who is seeking a political comeback against Democratic state auditor Matt Dunlap. The vice president praised LePage as an independent voice who would fight for Maine and protect taxpayer dollars, directly tying him to the Trump administration's agenda. "Send Paul LePage to Congress, and lets get to work to save our country," Vance told the crowd. A significant portion of Vance's speech centered on allegations of fraud in Maine's Medicaid system, a recurring theme from previous Trump administration visits to the state. He expressed doubt about the willingness of Governor Janet Mills' administration to combat the issue effectively.