AUGUSTA – Taking a leave of absence from her duties as executive director of the Maine Forest Products Council, Abby Holman has joined the campaign of Republican gubernatorial candidate Peter Cianchette as the Nov. 5 election closes in.

Explaining that the campaign needed more experienced staff as the race enters the home stretch, Cianchette campaign manager Roy Lenardson said that Holman’s political experience was valued by the candidate. Green Independent candidate Jonathan Carter recently added staff to run offices in Biddeford and Portland. Democrat John Baldacci and independent John Michael have made no recent additions to staff.