PORTLAND – The owners of several Maine small business gathered Monday in Portland to announce their endorsement of Republican presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. John McCain’s “Jobs First” economic plan.

“Small businesses are the heart and soul of Maine’s economy,” said Maine House Minority Leader Josh Tardy, R-Newport, co-owner of Moosehead Manufacturing in Monson and vice chairman of John McCain 2008 in Maine. “Ninety percent of Maine’s businesses are small. … [McCain’s] agenda for small businesses will help get our national economy and Maine’s economy back on track and create more opportunities for job growth all over the country.”

In addition to Tardy, the group Maine Small Business Leaders for John McCain includes Rep. Michael Thibodeau, R-Winterport, of TB Equipment in Bangor; Lois Bloomer of the Bloomer Agency in Hermon; Gregory Lovley of Newport Motorsports; Republican state Sen. Kevin Raye and his wife, Karen, of Raye Mustard in Perry; Kathy Watson of Kathy Watson Co. in Pittsfield; John Watson of Stetson and Watson in Pittsfield; Ken Fredette of the Law Offices of Ken Fredette in Newport; Andre Cushing of Colonial Contracting Co. in Hampden; Dana Edwards of Edwards Family Shop and Save in Hampden, Dover-Foxcroft and Unity; and Reginald Faulkner of R.D. Faulkner in Brewer.