Live updates: What JD Vance said in Brewer about key Maine midterm races
Vice President JD Vance addresses a crowd at the Bangor International Airport during a rally in May. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer)
Vice President JD Vance is expected to speak at a Brewer defense technology manufacturer Monday morning, marking his second appearance in Maine this year.
Vance will deliver remarks at Compotech during an 11 a.m. event. Other speakers include former Maine Gov. Paul LePage, the 2nd Congressional District candidate; Maine House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham; and Assistant Maine Senate Minority Leader Matt Harrington.
His appearance comes amid an important election season in Maine. Five-term Republican Sen. Susan Collins is facing former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, a Democrat, in a high-stakes battle to represent the state in the U.S. Senate. Voters in November will also be selecting the next governor and casting ballots in two U.S. House of Representatives races.
The White House did not say what Vance would be speaking about when officials announced his visit last week. In May, the vice president delivered a speech on Medicaid fraud and also spoke in support of Collins and LePage during a rally at the Bangor International Airport. He declined at the time to endorse in the Republican primary for governor.
Ended
Updated 1:02 pm · August 24, 2026
[
Rachel Ohm Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rachel-ohm/)
Highlights from Vance’s Q+A with reporters
Vance took a handful of questions from reporters before wrapping up.
Regarding the issue of fraud in MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program, Vance said the federal government has been in communication with Gov. Janet Mills’ administration “but I don’t have a great amount of confidence they’re going to lean into this anti-fraud effort.”
Prosecution of fraud is a priority at the federal level, and the administration has set up a new position in the Department of Justice focused on fraud and has “massively ramped up prosecution,” Vance said.
On tariff negotiations with Canada, Vance said discussions are ongoing and the country recently “came in with a bunch of unreasonable last minute demands.”
“They apply ridiculous tariffs and other non-tariff duties on Maine products coming in to Canada and they don’t expect Maine or anybody else to fight back,” Vance said. We’re sick of that. We are actually going to fight back against unfair trade practices, whether it’s coming from China or Canada,” he said.
Read more
Updated 12:48 pm · August 24, 2026
[
Kirby Wilson Staff Editor
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/kirby-wilson/)
Vance concludes remarks
Vance wraps his remarks by saying he doesn’t want people in Maine to think their communities are being left behind.
“I want you to recognize that there is a great American future for your children, for your grandchildren, for your entire family, right here in Brewer, Maine. Right here in the state that you all love,” Vance said.
Updated 12:45 pm · August 24, 2026
[
Kirby Wilson Staff Editor
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/kirby-wilson/)
Vance says Democrats more worried about shooting by ICE than about overdoses in Maine
In response to a question about the ICE Biddeford shooting in July, Vance said the federal government was investigating the matter.
He also criticized those who he said are more concerned about the “shooting of an illegal alien” than they are about the Mainers who have died from drug overdoses.
The victim of the Biddeford shooting, Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, had a work permit, according to a statement made by family’s attorney in July.
Read more
Updated 12:35 pm · August 24, 2026
[
Kirby Wilson Staff Editor
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/kirby-wilson/)
Vance begins taking questions from press
The vice president is taking a few questions from assembled reporters, and he’s starting with Maine reporters.
Updated 12:28 pm · August 24, 2026
[
Rachel Ohm Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rachel-ohm/)
Vance says U.S. right to restrict southern border
Vance pivots to talk about immigration, saying tighter border restrictions are keeping drugs out of communities.
He said overdoses this year are down 17% in Maine.
“We sealed the border and that’s what happened,” he said.
Updated 12:25 pm · August 24, 2026
[
Rachel Ohm Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rachel-ohm/)
Vance says Compotech has “an amazing story”
Compotech is an example of a growing manufacturing business the type of which the Trump administration wants to see thrive, Vance said.
“They are building critical defense tech that keeps our service members safe overseas,” he said.
Updated 12:20 pm · August 24, 2026
[
Kirby Wilson Staff Editor
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/kirby-wilson/)
RNC uses Vance visit to slam Democrats
Vance’s visit to Maine gave Republican National Committee officials a chance to blast their political opponents, and they didn’t waste it.
“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,” said spokesperson Kristen Cianci in a statement. “Maine deserves strong Republican leaders, not weaklings with a clear record of incompetence like Matt Dunlap and Troy Jackson.”
Interestingly, the statement did not include a mention of the governor’s race, where polls show Bobby Charles trailing.
Read more
Updated 12:19 pm · August 24, 2026
[
Rachel Ohm Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rachel-ohm/)
Vance says Trump administration has started an “economic renaissance”
Vance said new jobs and economic opportunities have grown since Trump took office. “We’re seeing the foundation laid for a manufacturing renaissance,” he said.
In just 18 months the administration has created 29,000 new manufacturing jobs, he said.
“Workers at places like Compotech are reaping the benefits,” he said.
Read more
Updated 12:14 pm · August 24, 2026
[
Rachel Ohm Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rachel-ohm/)
Vance says he is in Maine ‘to send a signal’
Vance says he’s in Maine to send a message about the importance of preserving good jobs like those at Compotech.
He also attacks socialism, saying the way to defeat it is by “giving people a real stake in the future,” citing the Trump administration’s checks for newborns as an example.
Updated 12:08 pm · August 24, 2026
[
Rachel Ohm Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rachel-ohm/)
Vance praises LePage
Vance praised LePage’s work as governor, telling the crowd he stood up for them while in office and made sure state services were functioning well .
“He’s an independent minded guy, but he’s independent for you,” Vance said.
Updated 12:08 pm · August 24, 2026
[
Rachel Ohm Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rachel-ohm/)
Vance takes the stage, shouts out Collins and Charles
Vance takes the stage, shouting out Sen. Susan Collins, who is running for reelection in the Senate, and Bobby Charles, who is running for governor. Neither are in attendance.
“She does an amazing job,” Vance says of Collins, despite noting she also has an independent streak.
Updated 12:05 pm · August 24, 2026
[
Rachel Ohm Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rachel-ohm/)
SBA administrator Kelly Loeffler takes the stage as program restarts
Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler is taking the stage as the program resumes. She says the country is seeing a “historic comeback in Main Street” thanks to Trump and Vance.
She praises Vance’s work on fraud and said he’s a fighter for American values. “It’s why he’s here in this great state,” she said.
Updated 11:57 am · August 24, 2026
[
Billy Kobin Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/billy-kobin/)
Susan Collins has ‘a great working relationship’ with JD Vance
A bit more from Collins on why she did not join Vance in Brewer: Her campaign spokespeople told the Portland Press Herald she “has a personal schedule today and will not be in attendance.”
Her team has not shared more on where she is going or what she is doing besides not joining Vance in Brewer. The Senate is in its August recess.
Her campaign team otherwise said “she has a great working relationship with the vice president.”
Read more
Updated 11:31 am · August 24, 2026
[
Rachel Ohm Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rachel-ohm/)
Brief break planned before Vance speaks
After several speakers, including Maine Republican leaders and former Gov. Paul LePage, it appears there will be a brief break before Vance takes the stage.
Music is playing as members of the crowd mingle at Compotech.
Updated 11:24 am · August 24, 2026
[
Rachel Ohm Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rachel-ohm/)
LePage encourages people to vote in the 2nd District race
LePage doesn’t name his opponent in the 2nd District race, Matt Dunlap, but attempts to attack him by saying he’s a “big fan” of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and former Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner.
“If you vote Republican, we can change Augusta,” he said.
Updated 11:14 am · August 24, 2026
[
Rachel Ohm Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rachel-ohm/)
Paul LePage takes the stage
LePage is welcomed with loud applause as he takes the stage to speak. It’s important to remember America is built on hard work, LePage said as he opened. He started off talking about his upbringing in Lewiston and his time in the Blaine House.
“My eight years were successful in Maine,” LePage said.
LePage says his administration as governor “rewarded hard work” and was supportive of everyday people. Workers need to be prioritized, he said.
“Vice President Vance understands more than anyone what it means when manufacturing leaves your community. … He knows we should be making things here, in places like Brewer, Maine, and not China,” LePage said.
Read more
Updated 10:58 am · August 24, 2026
[
Rachel Ohm Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rachel-ohm/)
House GOP leader praises Trump administration fraud investigations
Maine House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor, is taking the stage and also praising Vance’s work to address welfare fraud.
Maine House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor, takes the stage Monday morning to speak at a JD Vance event at Compotech in Brewer. (Joe Phelan/Staff Photographer)
“What a blessing it is to have an administration that cares about us and shows up in Maine,” he said.
Faulkingham said Mainers are fed up with abuse in the MaineCare program: “For too long, government oversight has looked like pay first, verify later,” he said.
Faulkingham called on the crowd to vote Republican in the fall.
“I hope some of you today are inspired,” he said.
Read more
Updated 10:52 am · August 24, 2026
[
Rachel Ohm Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rachel-ohm/)
Maine Senate GOP leader: Trump, Vance are helping working people
Assistant Maine Senate Minority Leader Matt Harrington is now addressing the crowd. Harrington said working people have been “treated for far too long like an afterthought.”
“President Trump and Vice President Vance are changing that,” he said.
Harrington praised Trump and Vance for their work on welfare fraud and other issues, including their support of law enforcement.
Read more
Updated 10:47 am · August 24, 2026
[
Rachel Ohm Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rachel-ohm/)
Brewer mayor welcomes crowd
Brewer Mayor Jenn Morin is welcoming the crowd at Compotech. She is talking up Vance, President Donald Trump and former Maine Gov. Paul LePage, the 2nd Congressional District candidate.
Both Vance and LePage had difficult childhoods, Morin said, going on to say they exemplify the American dream.
“Every child across Maine should have the chance to build a better life,” Morin said.
Read more
Updated 10:41 am · August 24, 2026
[
Rachel Ohm Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rachel-ohm/)
Attendees fill Compotech warehouse
Attendees have filled a large warehouse at Compotech ahead of the Vance event. Large banners reading “Defend Our Future” hang on the walls, hinting at a possible theme for Vance’s speech.
Jeff McLain, of Blue Hill, said he’s seen President Donald Trump in person twice but never Vance. He said he was excited to see what the vice president would have to say.
“I like his fiery attitude,” said McLain, 60. “He has a lot of gusto, and I like that.”
Read more
Updated 10:14 am · August 24, 2026
[
Billy Kobin Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/billy-kobin/)
Susan Collins will not attend JD Vance’s visit
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, signaled over the weekend she would not attend Vance’s visit in Brewer.
Collins, who faces Democrat Troy Jackson in November’s high-profile Senate race, had said while at the Madison-Anson Days Parade on Saturday that she would not join Vance, as she was already scheduled to go elsewhere Monday. She did not specify where, and spokespeople for both her office and campaign have not responded to requests for comment. Vance praised Collins during his May trip to Bangor.
Republican gubernatorial nominee Bobby Charles, who was at the Bangor event, said last week that he would not be at Monday’s event. That comes after Charles, who has been down big in polls to Democrat Hannah Pingree, told reporters he has never met President Donald Trump and that the race is “not about national politics.” Charles repeatedly praised Trump and his administration’s policies after launching his gubernatorial bid last year.
At least one high-profile Republican on the November ballot is at Monday’s event: Former Gov. Paul LePage, the Republican nominee in the 2nd District who faces State Auditor Matt Dunlap in November, was seen just before 10 a.m. Monday going through security with his wife and daughter.
Read more
Updated 9:42 am · August 24, 2026
[
Rachel Ohm Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rachel-ohm/)
Republican legislative leader joins dozens awaiting vice president’s remarks
Dozens of people had gathered in the rain outside Compotech on Monday morning, waiting for entrance to the Vance event.
People wait in line to enter JD Vance event in Brewer on Monday morning. (Joe Phelan/Staff Photographer)
Assistant Minority Leader Katrina Smith, R- Palermo, was among them. Smith said she wasn’t sure if there was a specific topic Vance would be addressing but said she was happy to see national leaders coming to support a local business.
“I think we’re just really glad that the national presence has come to Maine and is taking often a look seriously at some of the issues we’re facing and they’re not hiding from it,” Smith said. “They’re addressing it with the people. It’s really good support for the Republicans here in Maine.”
Read more
Updated 9:29 am · August 24, 2026
[
Rachel Ohm Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rachel-ohm/)
Small crowd of protesters gathers
About a dozen people had gathered to protest Vance near the entrance to Compotech by 9 a.m. Monday.
David Weeda, of Bucksport, said he saw the event as an “opportunity to take a public stand against the administration, which is driving our nation into despair and destruction.”
Weeda, 67, held a sign that read “Stop killing people!” as a light rain fell. He said it was a reference to deaths in Gaza and Ukraine.
“We are becoming the pariah of the world,” Weeda said.
Read more
Updated 9:13 am · August 24, 2026
[
Rachel Ohm Staff Writer
](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rachel-ohm/)
Which Republican officials will show up for Vance?
Bobby Charles, the Republican candidate for governor, is not planning to be in attendance. Spokespeople for Collins and former Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who is running in the hotly contested 2nd District, did not respond Friday to inquiries about whether they will attend.
Copy the Story Link
Tagged: election 2026, Gov. Paul LePage, JD Vance
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
Billy covers politics for the Press Herald. He joined the newsroom in 2026 after also covering politics for the Bangor Daily News for about two and a half years. Before moving to Maine in 2023, the Wisconsin. More by Billy Kobin
