Cellucci endorses Bech

Former Gov. Paul Cellucci endorsed congressional challenger Nathan Bech Wednesday night in Leominster, Bech's campaign announced Thursday.

Nathan Bech (R-Springfield)Bech (R-Springfield) is challenging nine-term U.S. Rep. John Olver (D-Amherst) in the 1st Congressional District.

Speaking at an event at the Leominster Elks Lodge, Cellucci (R), who left the Statehouse to become the U.S. Ambassador to Canada in 2001, said Bech has a strong vision for the future of the state and lauded his foreign policy credentials as a former Army intelligence officer stationed abroad.

"Nathan Bech will fight hard for the people of Massachusetts," Cellucci said, according to a statement provided by the campaign. "He has realistic plans to bring down energy prices, protect our borders and turn the economy around. As a former ambassador, I know how badly we need his foreign policy experience in Washington, D.C."

Bech said he would bring a leadership style like Cellucci's to Congress. "Paul Cellucci led this state with fiscal discipline and represented our nation with distinction," Bech said. "I want to bring that kind of no-nonsense leadership to Washington."

Cellucci's lieutenant governor, Jane Swift (R), also endorsed Bech earlier this summer.