Former U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud on Tuesday endorsed state auditor Matthew Dunlap’s bid to unseat incumbent Rep. Jared Golden in the 2nd Congressional District.

Michaud, a millworker who represented the district for six terms before launching an unsuccessful bid for governor in 2013, called Dunlap “an individual of great character and great conviction.”

“He won’t be influenced or bought off by lobbyists and special interests,” Michaud said in a campaign video. “He’ll fight for you, the people of Maine. He’ll work for a people’s agenda — affordable health care, living wages, and a new, expanded child tax credit.”

Michaud’s endorsement adds credibility to Dunlap’s bid to unseat Golden, who is seeking a fifth term and is backed by the national party. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has said that Golden “has proven he is uniquely suited to win tough races.”

Democrats face tremendous pressure to hold as many House seats as they can in the midterm elections and perhaps even regain the majority.

Golden’s campaign dismissed Michaud’s endorsement, pointing to his loss on the 2014 governor’s race.

“When it comes to assessing who has what it takes to beat Paul LePage, I’m not sure I’d take the advice of someone with a record of losing every county in the district to him,” said Jordan Kathleen Burns, Golden’s campaign manager. 

Golden, 43, of Lewiston, has previously said that Dunlap would likely lose to LePage, a former two-term Republican governor who is running unopposed in the primary and who defeated Michaud in the governor’s race in 2014.

Michaud challenged that assessment, but did not mention Golden by name.

“And let’s be clear — Matt knows how to win. He’s done it his entire career. And with your help and the people of Maine, he’ll do it again,” he said. “You deserve a better choice — that better choice is Matt Dunlap. Matt has my strong, enthusiastic endorsement. I hope you will give him your vote.”

Dunlap, 60, of Old Town, said he was compelled to run, despite objections from party leaders, because he’s heard from people in the district who are upset with Golden’s history of voting with Republicans and his lack of public appearances.

Dunlap is a former secretary of state who served in the Maine House from 1996 to 2004.