The Bangor Daily News has endorsed independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler, saying the independent is best positioned to take advantage of an opportunity to remake Maine government.

“Only one candidate for governor — Eliot Cutler — has the skills, vision and detailed plans to lead this work,” the paper said in an editorial posted online at http://www.bangordailynews.com/story/Opinion/Eliot-Cutler-for-Governor,156357 Friday night.

The paper said the Republican and Democratic parties failed by nominating candidates who represent partisan extremes. Libby Mitchell, the Democratic candidate, “wants to largely maintain the status quo,” the Bangor Daily News said, while Republican Paul LePage “wants to blow up state government.”

The editorial acknowledged that Cutler has faced criticism for leading a career outside of Maine and working with business interests in China and noted that an independent candidate faces a greater challenge in working with the parties in the Legislature. However, the Bangor Daily News said its view is that Cutler gained experience working in Washington and his work with China “makes him better positioned to see new markets and opportunities for Maine.”

As for being an independent, the paper said, voters will make clear that they “expect lawmakers to work together to make government smaller but still responsive to public needs for well-maintained roads, a clean environment and a safety net that protects the elderly, poor and ill.”

The paper also pointed out that Cutler remains in third in recent polls, but it urged voters to take a closer look before the Nov. 2 election.

“They will see that Eliot Cutler is the only candidate with the vision and skills to match Maine’s challenges,” the paper said. “As his campaign literature asks, ‘How about just voting for the best candidate?’ On Nov. 2, that candidate is Eliot Cutler.”