AUGUSTA – Three of Maine’s largest sporting lobbies have thrown their collective weight behind the Republican gubernatorial candidacy of Peter Cianchette of South Portland.

In press conferences in Bangor and Augusta Wednesday, Cianchette said the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, the Maine Snowmobile Association and the National Rifle Association are supporting him because they know he shares their concerns about sporting issues and is the candidate that best understands their needs.

“They know I’m going to protect Maine’s outdoor heritage and they understand that very clearly,” Cianchette said. “They also want to be part of a campaign that’s gaining momentum with a message that’s spreading. We’re narrowing the gap, and they know they can be an important factor in determining who will be elected as Maine’s next governor.”

In a letter to Cianchette informing him of SAM’s decision, George Smith, the group’s executive director, said SAM’s political action committee’s board of directors were impressed with the candidate’s commitment to firearms rights, defense of hunting traditions and endorsement of the fish hatchery bond issue. The group’s membership was not polled individually.

“We especially enjoyed your stories about fishing and camping with your son,” Smith wrote. “Our traditions are very much centered on family activities such as these and the Cianchette family has the same special outdoor heritage that is shared by so many Maine families.”

Marion Pinkham, president of the MSA, said Cianchette was committed to supporting the thousands of volunteers who maintain Maine’s snowmobile programs and trails. In a prepared statement, Chris Cox, chief lobbyist for the NRA, praised Cianchette as a “genuine champion of the Second Amendment.”

“Peter is a natural leader who will work to protect the rights of hunters, sportsmen and law-abiding gun owners,” Cox said.

Cianchette’s opponents in the gubernatorial race were not surprised by Wednesday’s endorsements. Jonathan Carter, the Green Independent Party’s candidate from Lexington Township was not available for comment. But supporters of John Baldacci emphasized that while the Bangor Democrat didn’t get SAM’s endorsement, he did receive an “A” rating from the group just like Cianchette did.

“John has the support of a lot of SAM members and a lot of respected and avid outdoorsmen – as well as outdoorswomen,” said Donna Gormley, spokeswoman for Baldacci.

John Michael, an independent candidate for governor from Auburn, said Cianchette was an obvious choice for the sporting lobbies. And from his perspective, things could have been worse.

“Those are groups that might have endorsed me in another situation,” he said. “What’s good is that they’re not endorsing John Baldacci.”