BREWER – Maine Senate President Michael Michaud on Thursday received the support of two of the state’s largest unions in his bid for the 2nd District congressional seat.

During a news conference, the East Millinocket Democrat welcomed the endorsements of the Maine State Employees Association, with about 5,000 members in the district, and region one of PACE, a union that represents about 8,000 paper workers there.

Michaud, a millworker and PACE member, is one of six candidates poised to vie for his party’s nomination for the seat of U.S. Rep. John Baldacci, a Bangor Democrat who is running for governor.

“During all my years in the Legislature, my approach has been to reach out and try to serve all the people of my district, from the most successful business leader to the minimum wage employee,” Michaud said Thursday. “I am doing the same in my race for Congress.”

Bruce Roy, president of PACE, said, “Mike has proven that he is an effective and capable lawmaker, and in vote after vote … he has shown that he has never forgotten he is one of us.”