WESTBROOK — Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney appeared in Westbrook Wednesday morning to show his support for Maine gubernatorial candidate
Sen. Chandler Woodcock.

After the pair toured D&G Machine, a maker of industrial equipment, Romney stood with Woodcock and said his fellow Republican would make a strong governor because of his focus on reducing taxes and strengthening the economy.

Maine is one of two states – the other is Louisiana – with a shrinking economy, he said.

“There’s no way you can have great schools and great health care if you don’t have a strong economy,” he said. “People want new leadership. They want a change.”

Romney chairs the Republican Governors Association, which is spending money on political ads for Woodcock and urging volunteers to come to Maine to help mobilize voters.

“We think this is a race where people deserve a change,” he said.

Romney is viewed as a potential candidate for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.