NEWBURY — Local Republicans are excited that Harvard Pilgrim Chief Executive Officer Charlie Baker, a man with local ties, has tossed his hat into the ring for the 2010 governor's race.
Baker, the son of Charles and Betty Baker of Byfield, last week announced he will run for governor in 2010. Baker, 52, of Swampscott, spent eight years in state government in the cabinets of Govs. Bill Weld and Paul Cellucci. He served first as secretary of Health and Human Services and then as secretary of Administration and Finance during some of the Big Dig.
"Leaving the company is not an easy decision for me, but there is no middle ground," he said in a press release. "I am either the CEO of Harvard Pilgrim, or I'm building a campaign organization. I cannot do both."
Baker so far faces incumbent Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick and Republican candidate Christy Mihos.
Larry Giunta, chairman of the Newburyport Republican Committee, said Friday he is thrilled with the idea of Baker stepping into the ring.
"We hope to have him up to speak at our meeting in the fall," Giunta said. "He's a great guy with ties to our area."
Arthur Allen, a family friend of the Bakers who also lives in Byfield, is chairman of the Mass. Aeronautics Commission and president of a security business.
"I've been bugging Charlie for the longest time to run," Allen said. "I met him at a political dinner years ago and was so impressed by him; he is clear, articulate, funny and very likeable."
Essex County Sheriff Frank Cousins, a Republican, said his connection with the Baker family stems back to a generous act by Charlie Baker's grandparents.
"When I was a little boy his grandmother and great aunt went to the Unitarian Church in Newburyport," Cousins said, noting his grandparents at that point lived on Monroe Street. "They gave me and my sister a set of encyclopedias and I'll never forget that."
Cousins said since then, he has met and remained in touch with the Bakers, especially Charlie Baker, through the years.
"His great-grandfather was the president of one of the banks," Cousins said, speaking of Henry Bailey Little, who led the Institution for Savings in the late 19th century. "It's nice when there is someone connected to here."
Cousins said he is excited to see Baker finally running for governor and said he could bring needed change to the state.
"He has been a supporter and good friend," Cousins said. "The key thing to me is to stop the bleeding with budget cuts in our agency. Charlie is a strong administrator and has done a great job at Harvard Pilgrim."
Allen and his wife Linda, former chairman of the Newbury Republican Committee, stay in touch with the gubernatorial candidate on a regular basis, as well as his parents.
Allen, who has served on Beacon Hill under every governor since Bill Weld, said Baker has something not everyone in politics does — likability.
"I've seen the job of governor and know what it calls for and I know how it can be done well," Allen said. "He has what it takes. He knows how to make a payroll. He turned (Harvard Pilgrim) around and has worked in government. He is politically astute and likable and he can get people to like him — even Democrats."
For Republicans, Baker could signal change in a state under Democratic power.
"He has platforms that will fly with reasonable, moderate Democrats," Allen said, noting the portrayal of Republicans as ultra-conservative is not true. "He's not ultra-conservative on social issues and he is likeable and a successful businessman."
State Treasurer Timothy Cahill, who parted ways with the Democrats last week, has also shown interest in the race. He is expected to announce his plans after Labor Day.
Baker told reporters at a news conference this week that he would regret — for quite a while — if he "chose to sit idly by and not participate."
"I believe my ideas and experience, having served at the state level, having served in the private sector and having served at the local level, are very well-suited for the task," he said.
He agreed to being labeled a "liberal Weld Republican," fiscally conservative but liberal on such social issues as gay and abortion rights.
He said he would focus on job creation as governor, saying the state is losing too many adults 18 to 45 years old.
"It's a pretty dark picture, and I don't think we're doing the things we need to do to make that picture better," he said.
Baker said the Republican Party provides a vital check and balance on the state political establishment.
Four years ago, Baker, then a Swampscott selectman, decided against a run for governor. He expressed concern the campaign would be too big a sacrifice for his family and three children.
While local Republicans await word of a possible visit by Baker to Newburyport, they will continue to voice their support and spread the word about his viability as a candidate.
"Baker will change the idea Republicans don't like children and are stuck in the old ways. We can be progressive while holding on to certain core values," Allen said. "I'm just as thrilled as I can be he is running."
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