PORTLAND – The leader of the Maine National Guard is throwing his support behind Democrat Adam Cote in the 1st District congressional race.

Maj. Gen. Bill Libby, commander of the Maine National Guard, made his endorsement in a letter written to veterans groups this week. Cote, a Portland lawyer, served as a soldier in Bosnia from 1997 to 1998 and in Iraq from 2003 to 2004.

Libby told the Portland Press Herald that he checked with lawyers before advocating for Cote. He was advised that he could endorse a candidate provided he used his own letterhead and made no reference to his state position.

He says he settled on Cote because “this is a guy I simply trust.”

Cote is one of six candidates seeking the seat that’s being vacated by Rep. Tom Allen, who is running for the Senate.