SCARBOROUGH (AP) – Navy reservist Charles Summers, a candidate for the open seat in the 1st Congressional District, is in Maine on a 15-day leave during his 10-month tour of duty in Iraq.

The Scarborough Republican, who returned home Thursday, said he is spending time with family and friends and catching up with people he hasn’t seen in a while.

Summers said Navy regulations bar him from making any campaign appearances or even discussing the race until his stint of active duty ends in May.

Summers, a lieutenant commander based in Baghdad, said he has been traveling around Iraq while working in a public affairs role with provincial reconstruction teams.