In his story concerning the endorsement of Eliot Cutler by Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence (“Gun control group endorses Cutler in Maine governor’s race,” July 25), reporter Eric Russell correctly pointed out that Cutler and Mike Michaud have similar views on background checks for prospective gun buyers – a key issue in the gun control debate.

However, he failed to mention until the last sentence of his piece that one of the group’s founders and a current board member, Bill Harwood, has contributed the maximum of $1,500 to Cutler’s campaign.

Nor does the article make clear that Harwood has been a very public Cutler supporter during the campaign.

For example, in a May 11 Maine Sunday Telegram article on Cutler (“Will affluent suburbs remain Cutler country?”), Russell wrote, referencing a community event for Cutler: “Bill Harwood, one of several hosts of the event, said Cutler has been working harder than his opponents.”

Additionally, Harwood has been a leader in the group Lawyers for Cutler, which has been raising money for the candidate. (For the record, I support Mike Michaud for governor and have contributed $1,500 to his campaign.)

There is nothing wrong with the Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence’s endorsing Cutler, and it is certainly newsworthy. However, the close ties between one of the group’s founders and Mr. Cutler should have been noted in the article about the endorsement. Given these ties, the endorsement is hardly surprising.

Finally, contrary to the assertion in the endorsement story’s print headline – “Cutler takes risk, accepts gun-control group support” – a candidate who had the support of only 15 percent of likely voters in the latest Press Herald poll can’t be too picky.

Elizabeth Mahoney

Cumberland Foreside