3 takeaways from JD Vance’s visit to Maine
Vice President J.D. Vance speaks during the Defend Our Future event Monday at Compotech in Brewer. (Joe Phelan/Staff Photographer)
BREWER — Vice President JD Vance on Monday visited a defense technology manufacturer to promote Trump administration policies and campaign for Maine Republicans ahead of the November election.
Vance’s appearance at Compotech marked the second time this year the vice president has visited Maine, following a rally in May at the Bangor International Airport, where he talked largely about efforts to combat Medicaid fraud.
Vance was greeted by a friendly and enthusiastic crowd inside a warehouse at the business, which makes quick-setup composite fencing systems that protect soldiers from blast and ballistic threats. A handful of people protested outside, carrying signs that read “Resist” and “Go Home Hillbilly” (a reference to Vance’s book Hillbilly Elegy).
Here are key takeaways from the visit.
Vance was in Maine to promote American manufacturing jobs — and Trump policies.
Kelly Loeffler, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, introduced Vance and spoke about Compotech, saying that the business is the fastest-growing manufacturer in Maine. The company has been helped in part by Trump administration policies to cut taxes and regulations, she said.
Vance said he wants to reward employers like Compotech. The administration is already doing so through legislation such as the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which was part of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act President Donald Trump signed into law in 2025, he said.
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The legislation extended key provisions of 2017 tax cuts, implemented new exemptions for tipped and overtime income, and adjusted standard deductions and child tax credits. (Maine has not adopted all the provisions of the bill, including the tax breaks for tips and overtime.)
“This business is perfect example of what we want to see thrive,” Vance said. “We want to see businesses and workers investing in their communities.”
Medicaid fraud remains a major issue of concern for Republicans.
Vance and the Maine Republicans who introduced him highlighted fraud in the state’s Medicaid system, MaineCare, as a major issue. The state stopped payments to a Portland-based MaineCare provider and referred the case to the Office of the Maine Attorney General last year following fraud allegations. Another four providers have also had payments stopped since then following suspected fraud or mismanagement.
Vice President J.D. Vance speaks during the Defend Our Future event Monday August 24, 2026 at Compotech in Brewer. (Joe Phelan/Staff Photographer)
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In addition, a federal audit in January revealed that the state had made $46 million in improper payments for autism services in 2023. Critics say the findings raise questions about the integrity of Maine’s Medicaid program, though the state said at the time the audit only “identified potential documentation and compliance issues” that it is reviewing.
Vance said the federal government has reached out to Gov. Janet Mills’ administration and the attorney general’s office but, “I don’t have a great amount of confidence that they’re going to lean into this antifraud effort.”
“You see people saying they’re providing healthcare services, collecting a whole lot of money, but not doing a single bit of healthcare,” Vance said. “It’s got to stop.”
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Mills, a Democrat, said in a statement Monday that the state is continuing its work on tackling fraud.
“If the vice president is serious about fraud, he’d be better off starting with his boss, Donald Trump, who is using his office to enrich himself and his family, building himself a lavish new ballroom at taxpayer expense, and wasting billions on a needless war with Iran — one he promised he would never wage — while his endless tariffs on Canada drive up costs for Maine people,” Mills said.
Elections loomed large over Monday’s visit.
A June poll from The New York Times, Portland Press Herald and Siena Research Institute found that most Maine voters do not think the country is headed in the right direction under Trump. Still, Vance’s event showed how the administration is trying to use its political capital to boost Maine Republicans.
Vance kicked off his speech with shoutouts for the candidates in two of Maine’s most prominent races this November — Sen. Susan Collins, who is running for reelection against Democrat Troy Jackson, and Bobby Charles, who is running for governor. Charles is facing challenges from Democrat Hannah Pingree and independent Rick Bennett.
Neither Charles not Collins attended the event Monday. (A spokesperson for Collins said Monday that she “has a personal schedule today and will not be in attendance,” while a spokesperson for Charles said last week that he would not be attending due to prescheduled visits with members of Maine’s addiction and recovery communities.)
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Bobby Charles, Republican candidate for Maine governor, doesn’t plan to attend JD Vance event
Charles released a written statement Monday calling on the Trump administration to continue negotiations with Canada over tariffs on their goods — discussions Vance said are ongoing.
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Trump’s 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion of Canadian goods took effect over the weekend. Vance said the country has “applied ridiculous tariffs and other non-tariff duties on Maine products” and that in the latest round of negotiations Canada “came in with a bunch of unreasonable last-minute demands” that the U.S. is now responding to.
He said Charles “has been an amazing fighter for the state of Maine” and has “an amazing record of standing up to drug cartels” during his past work for the federal government.
Vance also joked that Collins “sometimes makes my job a little bit harder” because she is “the most independent member of the United States Senate.”
“But she makes it harder because she is coming in to work everyday and not fighting for a political party or any abstraction,” he said. “She comes to work and fights for the people of Maine.”
Former Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who is running for Congress in the 2nd District, also attended and delivered a 10-minute speech touting his candidacy and work as governor. LePage also got several mentions from Vance.
“There’s one thing I know Paul cares about, and that’s fighting hard for his people every single day,” Vance said.
State Auditor Matt Dunlap, LePage’s Democratic opponent and a frequent target of criticism Monday, bashed the former governor in a statement responding to Vance’s visit.
“Paul LePage brags about his direct line to the White House,” Dunlap said. “So far all that’s gotten us is higher prices, a trade war with Canada raising prices, Medicaid cuts, closed maternity wards and sending our shipbuilding jobs overseas.”
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Rachel covers state government and politics for the Portland Press Herald. It’s her third beat at the paper after stints covering City Hall and education. Prior to her arrival at the Press Herald in. More by Rachel Ohm
