PORTLAND — Former Gov. Angus King endorsed incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree this morning, saying she worked hard and represented Maine well during her first term in Congress.

King appeared with Pingree on WGAN-AM’s morning show on the threshold of Tuesday’s election. She is being challenged by Republican Dean Scontras.

King said he has known Pingree for 25 years, working closely with her when he was governor and she was a Maine legislator.

“Here’s what I know about this lady: She’s smart, determined and always puts Maine first,” King said. “I think she’s done a great job under difficult circumstances….I think Chellie’s doing the right thing and I think we should send her back.”

King said Pingree was tough but fair.

“My experience with her is that she always works on the issue without regard to the partisan stuff,” King said. “On prescription drugs, which was a huge issue when we were up there, she worked hard and there was Republican support on that because it’s one we knew we had to do something about. On one of the most contentious issues we worked on, Chellie took the lead on it and she got a unanimous vote in the Senate.”

Pingree started this final day of campaigning by greeting workers arriving for the first shift at Bath Iron Works. She’ll also be campaigning in Yarmouth, Falmouth and Biddeford today.