Former chairman of the Maine Republican Party Rick Bennett on Thursday endorsed state Sen. Eric Brakey’s bid for a seat in the U.S. Senate.

“Eric has demonstrated the kind of principled leadership and dedication to accountable governance that we need in Washington, D.C., and I am proud to endorse his campaign for U.S. Senate,” Bennett said in a prepared statement released by Brakey’s campaign.

Brakey is challenging the re-election bid of U.S. Sen. Angus King, an independent who is seeking a second term in the 2018 election. There are no other GOP candidates in the race.

Bennett said that in the past few years, he has “had a front-row seat to watch Eric Brakey’s dynamic work in the Maine Senate.”

“Bringing Republicans and Democrats together in divided government, Sen. Brakey has negotiated the passage of welfare reform, restored our Second Amendment rights with constitutional carry, and consistently put the people of Maine ahead of special-interest groups on both sides,” Bennett said.

Brakey said he is honored to gain Bennett’s backing, calling him “one of Maine’s most widely respected political leaders.”

“Tackling some of the biggest issues facing our state in the Maine Senate, I have regularly sought Rick’s counsel and advice,” Brakey said. “Now that I am running to tackle some of the biggest issues facing our nation in the U.S. Senate, I appreciate Rick Bennett’s support and insight all the more.”

Bennett, president and chief executive officer of Value Edge Advisors, is a former president of the Maine Senate.

Brakey, who embraces a libertarian philosophy, also has the backing of U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Ron Paul, a former presidential contender.

State Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, is challenging U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, in 2018.