From Scott Thistle in the Lewiston Sun Journal:
In a ringing endorsement, U.S. Sen. Angus King on Monday said he was supporting Eliot Cutler’s bid to become Maine’s next independent governor.
King, who served two terms as an independent governor, said he was supporting Cutler because he was the best man in the race. He also dismissed the notion that supporting Cutler would only help the campaign of incumbent Republican Gov. Paul LePage.
King said he wasn’t supporting Cutler because he disliked either LePage or the Democrat in the race, U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, but because he believes Cutler has the best skills to lead the state.
He also said as an independent he believes that the sharp partisanship in Augusta and Washington is what creates dysfunctional government.
“It’s the difference for the sake of difference — it’s killing us,” King said.
He said if voters took the time to really consider the candidates and evaluate them, he believed they would come to the same conclusion he has in supporting Cutler.