AUGUSTA – Democratic campaigns in Maine’s 1st District race are complaining about independent expenditures made on behalf of one of the six candidates, Adam Cote.

Joining the critics is the Maine Bankers Association, which opposes regulatory changes sought by the credit unions.

A national group that represents the credit union industry has spent more than $112,000 over the past two weeks to help elect Cote to the southern Maine seat being vacated by congressman Tom Allen.

The law says political action committees may independently spend as much as they want to help elect specific candidates, provided they do not coordinate their spending with candidates or their campaigns.

The other 1st District Democratic candidates are Michael Brennan, Mark Lawrence, Steve Meister, Chellie Pingree and Ethan Strimling.