PORTLAND — The Democrat who would become the first openly gay candidate in the country to become governor if he unseats Gov. Paul LePage in November is leading the pride parade in Maine’s largest city.

Mike Michaud is serving as one of the grand marshals of the Portland Pride Parade today.

The six-term congressman is in a three-person battle with independent Eliot Cutler and LePage, who’s widely viewed as one of the most vulnerable Republican governors.

When Michaud came out publicly last year, he said he didn’t want to focus on his personal life in the race.

But his potentially historic candidacy has caught the attention of national gay rights groups and activists who say his victory would be a key milestone in their march toward equality.