AUGUSTA – Gov. Angus King is looking to play a part in picking his successor.

King, an independent, said that once the June 11 primaries are over, there is a good chance he will endorse someone in the 2002 gubernatorial race. King is barred by the Maine Constitution from seeking a third consecutive term.

Democrat John Baldacci, Republicans Peter Cianchette and James Libby, independents David Flanagan and John Jenkins, and Green Independent Party members Jonathan Carter and Steven Farsaci have entered the race or are expected to do so.

“It’s sort of silly to work as hard as we have worked for going on eight years and then pay no attention to what comes next,” King said when asked if he will back a candidate. “I’m going to pay close attention to what [candidates] are saying on some of the issues I think are important.”

Key issues he said he would be watching include economic development, Workers’ Compensation and tax policy.

The governor said he has spoken about the race with Baldacci, Cianchette and Flanagan. He also chatted with Libby and Jenkins about issues not directly related to the campaign.

While polls have consistently shown that King is extremely popular, voters did not heed his recommendations on referendums involving forestry practices and gay rights.

One expert suggested Wednesday that an endorsement from King, while helpful to the recipient, will not decide the election.

“It’s possible that, if he endorses a candidate in the general election, that could be worth a few extra votes,” which would be especially valuable in a close race, said Douglas Hodgkin, a political scientist at Bates College. “He doesn’t have enough influence to determine the outcome,” Hodgkin said, because “everything else will be in the mix” as the campaign develops.