AUGUSTA – Some of the heavyweights in Maine’s Republican Party announced Monday they will be throwing their support behind gubernatorial hopeful Peter Cianchette of South Portland.

Cianchette, son of one of the founders of the Cianbro construction company, served in the Maine House as a state representative and recently left his position as executive vice president of Pierce Atwood Consulting, a Portland-based consulting firm, to begin campaigning full-time. Next June, he will face two rival Republican challengers for the Blaine House: former state Sen. Jim Libby of Buxton and recently retired Maine Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Daniel Wathen of Augusta.

With less than a third of the state’s voters expected to cast ballots in the GOP June primary, it’s important for candidates to signal their solidarity with their party as early as possible. The last six past chairmen of the Maine Republican Party sided with Cianchette to send a message to other Republicans who still are considering their choices.

The group includes Kevin Keogh of Saco, Ken Cole of Portland, Pam Cahill of Woolwich, Ted O’Meara of South Portland, Tom Murphy of Kennebunk and Phil Jackson of Harrison. All served terms as state Republican leaders between 1988 and 1998.

“Peter Cianchette is an exciting new leader for our party and our state,” said Keogh in a prepared statement. “Peter has tremendous support among party workers throughout the state – people who know that primaries are all about choosing the strongest candidate for the general election in November.”

Keogh said Cianchette clearly represents the Republican Party’s best chance to win the race for the Blaine House next year, noting that his campaign is receiving support not only from longtime party activists but also from those new to the political process.

“We respect the fact that Peter has worked on behalf of the party and its candidates for many years, and that he has served with distinction as a state representative and as a Maine business leader,” Keogh said. “It’s one thing to bring ideas to the table, and another to move them forward. Peter has the skills to do both. It’s an important distinction among the candidates for governor, one that will become more clear as the campaign progresses.”

Cianchette, who formally launched his campaign last month and has been campaigning full-time throughout the state since last May, said he was deeply gratified to have the support of so many recent state party chairs.

“These individuals have all provided outstanding leadership to our party over the years, and their support of my candidacy sends a very strong message about the strength of my campaign,” Cianchette said. “They know what’s at stake in a primary – and they know how important it is to elect a Republican governor next year.”