(The Center Square) — Vice President JD Vance touted a manufacturing "renaissance" Monday during a visit to a Maine factory, where he highlighted the Trump administration's economic policies and stumped for Republican candidates ahead of the high-stakes midterms.
The vice president on Monday delivered remarks in Brewer, Maine, at Compotech, a defense technology manufacturer, where he boasted of a comeback of manufacturing and industrial operations in response to the administration’s "America First" economic and trade agenda.
"We’re seeing the foundation laid for a manufacturing renaissance," Vance said from the stage, with supporters behind him holding "defend our future" signs. "Factory construction and employment has exploded. Workers at places like Compotech are reaping the benefits."Â
Vance also defended the trade war with Canada in his remarks Monday, saying Maine was getting a raw deal from its northern neighbor under the current trade system.Â
“I think that we need to send a message loud and clear to the prime minister of Canada: Stop taking advantage of the people of Maine," Vance said. "Stop taking advantage of America. It’s over, we expect fairness in our trade policy."Â
The visit was Vance's second to the Pine Tree State in the past month and is also aimed at shoring up former Republican Gov. Paul LePage's congressional bid and incumbent GOP Sen. Susan Collins reelection campaign. Maine is among a handful of battleground states that could decide control of Congress in the midterms.Â
Vance mentioned LePage several times during his remarks at the Brewer factory, saying he "is going to make a great congressman for the state of Maine." LePage faces Democratic state Auditor Matt Dunlap in the Nov. 3 election.
"This is not a politician who punches the card," Vance said in his remarks. "This is a guy who loves this state. When he was the governor of the state, Maine went from a place that couldn't pay its own Medicare bills to a state with huge budget surpluses. Paul used those surpluses to cut your taxes, tamp down on welfare fraud and eliminate a shortfall in Maine's pension system. He stood up for you."Â
Collins, a five-term moderate Republican seeking re-election in the blue-leaning state, didn't attend Monday's rally. The GOP senator has criticized the Trump administration's decision to set 50% tariffs on Canada over the weekend. Collins also didn't attend the vice president's previous visit.Â
Her Democratic rival in the upcoming midterms, logger and former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, posted a video message Monday with a previous clip from Vance "giving a shout out to Susan Collins."
"Yeah, let's give a shout out to Susan Collins. How about giving income tax cuts to the wealthiest people in this country while our healthcare system in Maine is collapsing," Jackson said. "How about fuel prices going through the roof because of the Iran war? Yeah, let's give a shout out to Susan Collins for the poor job she is doing for the state of Maine."Â
The National Republican Committee said the vice president's visit was also meant to highlight the contrast between Maine Republicans and their Democratic opponents in the midterms.
“President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Republicans are committed to pro-growth, America First policies that benefit workers and their families, while Augusta Democrats have been letting Mainers down for years," RNC spokesperson Kristen Cianci said in a statement. "Maine deserves strong Republican leaders, not weaklings with a clear record of incompetence like Matt Dunlap and Troy Jackson."
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