Highly-popular MA Gov. Charlie Baker won't seek re-election in 2022. Here's what it means.

Matt Murphy

State House News Service

Published Dec 1, 2021 

Gov. Charlie Baker, a two-term Republican who at his peak was one of the most popular governors in the country, will not seek a third term, throwing wide open the 2022 race for the state's top political office after close to two years of managing through a global pandemic.

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, who was widely considered to be the heir to the Baker political legacy, has also decided against a run for governor in 2022, dramatically reshaping the contest on the Republican side and, perhaps, clearing a path for Attorney General Maura Healey to enter the race on the Democratic side.

"After several months of discussion with our families, we have decided not to seek re-election in 2022. This was an extremely difficult decision for us. We love the work, and we especially respect and admire the people of this wonderful Commonwealth. Serving as Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts has been the most challenging and fulfilling jobs we've ever had. We will forever be grateful to the people of this state for giving us this great honor," Baker and Polito said in a joint statement.

Baker began telling friends and allies of his decision over the past 24 hours, and informed his Cabinet during a meeting Wednesday morning. The governor and lieutenant governor, in their statement, cited the need to focus on building an economic recovery as Massachusetts emerges from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We have a great deal of work to do to put the pandemic behind us, keep our kids in school, and keep our communities and economy moving forward. That work cannot and should not be about politics and the next election. If we were to run, it would be a distraction that would potentially get in the way of many of the things we should be working on for everyone in Massachusetts. We want to focus on recovery, not on the grudge matches political campaigns can devolve into," Baker and Polito said.

Who is running for MA Governor in Election 2022 

Republican Geoff Diehl, a former state lawmaker, has already entered the race for his party's nomination with the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, and three Democrats -- Harvard professor Danielle Allen, former state Sen. Ben Downing, and Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz -- are also running.

Healey, the popular Democratic prosecutor, is also weighing a bid and could be more inclined to enter the fray with Baker out of the running. She has previously said she hoped to make a decision about her political future this fall.

Karyn Polito:From Shrewsbury town meeting member to lieutenant governor

In addition to the polarized political environment, both Baker and Polito said the pandemic helped them realize the importance of taking time for family and friends after the grind of eight years leading the state.

"Done right, these jobs require an extraordinary amount of time and attention, and we love doing them. But we both want to be there with Lauren and Steve and our children for the moments, big and small, that our families will experience going forward," the pair said.

Baker's Republican support weaker than Geoff Diehl's

Recent polling has suggested that Baker could fair well in hypothetical matchups against the Democrats running or thinking about running, but he would also face a potentially bruising Republican primary as his relationship with the base of his party has frayed in the Trump era.

Baker did not support Trump during either of the former president's runs for the White House, and Baker's approval ratings are stronger among Democrats and independents than with voters in his own party.

Though it has been suggested in some political circles that Baker could run as an independent in 2022, the governor has brushed that notion aside, professing a belief in his brand of Republicanism molded under his political mentors former Govs. Bill Weld and Paul Cellucci.

Approval ratings:Where do you think Charlie Baker ranks among governors nationally? Poll results are in.

"We are determined to continue to put aside the partisan playbook that dominates so much of our political landscape – to form governing partnerships with our colleagues in local government, the Legislature, and the Congressional delegation. That bipartisan approach, where we listen as much as we talk, where we focus our energies on finding areas of agreement and not disagreement, and where we avoid the public sniping and grandstanding that defines much of our political discourse, allows us to make meaningful progress on many important issues," Baker and Polito said.

Baker would have been the first governor in recent memory to run for three terms. The last governor to serve three four-year terms was Democrat Michael Dukakis, though his terms were non-consecutive.

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Baker's long-awaited announcement

 

BY LISA KASHINSKY DECISIONS, DECISIONS — Gov. Charlie Baker will announce today whether he plans to seek reelection in 2022, according to sources close to the governor. Rumors that Baker had reached a decision — and would be announcing it imminently — took the chattering class by storm last night, setting off a flurry of calls and texts and tweets among operatives and reporters and #mapoli observers. Whatever Baker decides will have a cascading effect on Massachusetts politics. That’s particularly true if he opts not to seek a third term, a move that would kick the door wide open for both Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Democratic state Attorney General Maura Healey, and shuffle the fields in down-ballot races. Healey has been “seriously considering” running for governor, while Polito hasn’t given any public inkling of her 2022 intentions. Baker faces a tough road ahead if he’s in. The Republican governor continues to poll better with Democrats and independents than his own party. Recent surveys show him struggling against conservative former state Rep. Geoff Diehl in a GOP primary and suggest he could have a path forward as an independent — a notion he’s rejected. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. The Baker rumor mill wasn’t the only thing churning last night. BOILING POINT — The MassGOP state committee members who are increasingly frustrated by Jim Lyons’ leadership skipped last night’s committee meeting in protest. Their absences, plus others that were unrelated, left the chair without a quorum. Committee member Will Crocker sent an email to Lyons shortly before the meeting saying “a number of us have decided not to attend” because Lyons “refused to allow a parliamentarian to be present.” State committee members had requested a parliamentarian to help enforce the party’s rules at meetings. “Your authoritarian and heavy-handed manner for running our meetings will no longer be tolerated,” Crocker continued. Lyons instead called an executive committee meeting to move through the night's agenda, according to a source at the meeting, though Crocker and other state committee members claimed that violated the party’s bylaws. Lyons didn’t return a call for comment. The latest dust-up in the GOP’s intraparty feud came as Republicans lost yet another seat on Beacon Hill. REP SEAT FLIPS — Topsfield Democrat Jamie Belsito defeated Rowley Republican Robert “Bob” Snow in the special election to finish out former GOP state Rep. Brad Hill’s term. “I’m so honored,” Belsito told me. “We have a really unique opportunity to just focus on all the funding that’s available in the state … and we have some opportunities to really bolster the environment and infrastructure.” Belsito pledged to fight for 4th Essex residents on Beacon Hill, though the district will get carved up next year when the new House map takes effect, likely placing Belsito in someone else's district. TODAY — Polito presides over a governor’s council meeting at noon. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu attends Erin Murphy’s City Council swearing-in ceremony at noon at City Hall, gives remarks at the West Fenway tree lighting at 6 p.m. and attends the opening of D’laly’s Hair & Nail Salon in Roxbury at 6:45 p.m. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: lkashinsky@politico.com.   BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we’ve got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don’t miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now.     THE LATEST NUMBERS – “Massachusetts reports 2,915 new coronavirus cases, breakthrough case count stays high during Thanksgiving week,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “State health officials on Tuesday reported 2,915 new coronavirus cases, as total COVID hospitalizations in the Bay State continued to surge after Thanksgiving. The state Department of Public Health also reported a spike of 6,610 breakthrough cases during the week of Thanksgiving, staying at a high level after the previous week’s tally of 6,917 breakthrough infections.” DATELINE BEACON HILL – “Under pressure, Massachusetts lawmakers say they have deal on $4 billion spending bill,” by Matt Stout, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts legislative leaders said late Tuesday they reached an agreement on a $4 billion pandemic-era spending package, nearly two weeks after they missed a self-imposed deadline and broke for their winter recess without a deal on the long-sought bill. Despite the declared progress, state Representative Aaron Michlewitz and state Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, who have served as their chambers’ lead negotiators, did not release details of the sweeping legislation Tuesday. They said in a joint statement they intend to publicly file the proposal once the ‘agreement is finalized.’ Michlewitz, a North End Democrat, said later Tuesday that it could happen as early as Wednesday, setting up the bill to emerge Thursday in the House.” – “FEMA money still available for COVID-related expenses,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Eagle-Tribune: “Federal pandemic relief money is still available for nonprofits and local governments dealing with COVID-related expenses, with reimbursement of up to 100% for the purchase of masks, protective clothing, testing and other costs.” – “State panel weighs restrictions on herbicide,” by Christian M. Wade, CNHI/Gloucester Daily Times: “On Tuesday, a newly created state commission held its first hearing to investigate the potential health impacts of glyphosate, a herbicide that has been widely used since the 1970s to control weeds in crops and gardens. The herbicide is the main ingredient in commercial products such as Roundup and Rodeo weed killers.” VAX-ACHUSETTS – “Charlie Baker insists vaccine verification system is not a pathway to mandates,” by Amy Sokolow, Boston Herald: “Gov. Charlie Baker wants everyone to know he does not support a vaccine mandate statewide — ‘period.’ His unequivocal stance comes after he went on radio and said a digital vaccine verification system may soon be coming to Massachusetts.” – “Massachusetts is deploying COVID-19 antibody treatment sites for high-risk individuals,” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: “Massachusetts is establishing three state-sponsored mobile units where residents can receive monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19, in a bid to make the therapeutics more accessible across the state. Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration announced Tuesday that the three units — in Everett, Fall River, and Holyoke — will be available to high-risk individuals who have COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with the virus. The units in Fall River and Holyoke have been administering antibody treatments to patients since Nov. 22, while the Everett site will be deployed this Friday.” – "After granting COVID vaccine religious exemptions, a Massachusetts state diversity officer ‘unexpectedly left’ agency during vaccine mandate rollout," by Alison Kuznitz, MassLive: "A Massachusetts state employee tasked with processing vaccine exemption requests under Gov. Charlie Baker ’s COVID-19 mandate no longer works for the Department of Developmental Services. ... The DDS workers, who individually spoke to MassLive on the condition of anonymity due to fear of retaliation from their state employer, claim [Frances N.] Nwajei was terminated for approving too many exemption requests." FROM THE HUB – “Boston fires assistant principal, refers case to police,” by Meg Woolhouse, GBH News: “The new assistant head of school at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School in Boston has been terminated for allegedly having sexually inappropriate content on his city-owned laptop, GBH News has learned. The Boston Public Schools said it cannot disclose the name of the former employee due to an ongoing investigation, but GBH News has learned that Matthew Dugan, hired in late October as Madison Park’s number two administrator, was fired in November for allegedly collecting student passwords and photos from their social media accounts and saving them to his computer.” – “Roxbury Community College president to step down following reports of mismanagement,” by Tori Bedford, GBH News: “After eight years as president of Roxbury Community College, Dr. Valerie Roberson plans to step down from her role following calls for her resignation and reports of mismanagement. Suffolk County Sheriff and RCC board chairman Steve W. Tompkins announced Roberson’s planned departure at a public board meeting Tuesday, thanking her for her service and acknowledging complaints issued to the board in a public comment forum.” – “Boston to seek stay after court shuts down eviction moratorium,” by Sean Philip Cotter and Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: “Mayor Michelle Wu says the city will continue to push to keep an eviction moratorium in place after a housing court struck it down.” – “Wu reappoints Lorena Lopera and Rafaela Polanco García to Boston School Committee,” by Felicia Gans, Boston Globe: “[Lorena Lopera and Rafaela Polanco García] were each selected by former acting mayor Kim Janey on July 22 to terms that expired at the end of Janey’s tenure. Wu on Tuesday chose them to serve the remainder of their terms, which end on Jan. 1, 2024.” TODAY'S SPECIAL (ELECTION) – “Belsito tops Snow in 4th Essex race,” by Dustin Luca, Salem News: “Jamie Belsito is going all the way to Beacon Hill. Voters in the 4th Essex District gave Belsito, a Democrat, a modest win against Republican opponent Robert ‘Bob’ Snow, a Rowley resident and Selectman, in the district’s special election on Tuesday. … Belsito took five of the district’s six towns Tuesday night, with Snow winning only his hometown of Rowley.” DAY IN COURT – “Healey sues Illinois-based company for selling more than $100,000 worth of fake hand sanitizer to Mass. school districts,” by Felicia Gans, Boston Globe: “Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey sued an Illinois-based company Monday for allegedly selling a fake hand sanitizer product to several school districts and at least one city, claiming that it could kill the COVID-19 virus. According to the complaint, filed Monday in Suffolk Superior Court, School Health Corporation violated the Massachusetts False Claims Act by asserting that its product could prevent the spread of the coronavirus, despite not containing ‘any of the key ingredients in hand sanitizer,’ Healey’s office said in a statement on Tuesday.” – “Rape appeal denied, judgments upheld against ex-governor's former brother-in-law,” by Wheeler Cowperthwaite, Patriot Ledger: “The state Appeals Court upheld rape, kidnapping, stalking and witness intimidation convictions against Bernard Sigh, the former brother-in-law of ex-Gov. Deval Patrick. Sigh, 69, of Milton, argued in his appeal that during the trial in 2019, the judge should not have excluded expert testimony and there should have been multiple trials instead of one.” – “FBI charges Rhode Island man in connection with U.S. Capitol riots, the 11th charged by FBI Boston,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: “A 35-year-old Rhode Island man has been charged by the FBI for allegedly assaulting multiple law enforcement officers using a dangerous weapon, engaging in violence, civil order and disorderly conduct at the U.S. Capitol riots.” DATELINE D.C. – AT THE WH: State Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro) will attend an event at the White House today commemorating World AIDS Day. Cyr is also in D.C. for an LGBTQ leadership conference. – "Sen. Markey optimistic Democrats can pass social infrastructure package," by Aidan Connelly, GBH News. – "Elizabeth Warren ally Richard Cordray under discussion for Fed bank supervisor role, key senator says," by Thomas Franck, CNBC. FROM THE 413 – “Southwick group abandons select board member recall; fails to gather enough signatures,” by Jim Kinney, Springfield Republican: “Citizens Reclaiming Southwick has abandoned its efforts to force a recall election of Select Board Member Russell S. Fox after failing to get enough signatures. … ‘But they are not going away,’ Fox, who’s been active in various parts of town government for nearly 40 years, said Tuesday. ‘They asked me to resign again last night.’” – “Legal opinion examines if city employees can serve on Holyoke City Council,” by Dennis Hohenberger, Springfield Republican: “The Law Department examined whether a city employee can serve on the City Council. Unless the Council overturns an ethics rule, Councilors-elect Jenny Rivera and Israel Rivera face tough choices in the coming weeks.” – “Renaissance Faire staff quits over owners’ link to Unbearables group,” by Bera Dunau, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “The entire administrative staff of the Massachusetts Renaissance Faire has resigned over ties between two of the fair’s owners and a group centered on a comedian who expounds bigotry and conspiracy theories.” THE LOCAL ANGLE – “More than 30 years later, a tantalizing clue in the Gardner Museum art heist surfaces,” by Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe: “On a spring morning in 1990, Paul Calantropo was alone in his eighth-floor office at the Jeweler’s Building in downtown Boston when he looked up at a security camera and spotted a familiar figure walking down the hallway toward his door. He buzzed him inside. It was Bobby Donati, a friend Calantropo had met decades earlier as a teenager in Everett. Over the years, Calantropo had appraised diamonds, jewelry, and other items Donati brought in, but said he was always uneasy about it because he knew that Donati had been in and out of jail for robbery and hung out with local mobsters. As they sat across from each other, Donati unwrapped a shiny finial in the shape of an eagle, according to Calantropo. He placed the decorative piece, designed for the top of a flagstaff, on a desk and asked how much it was worth. Calantropo was stunned. He immediately recognized the gilded bronze object from media reports as one of 13 pieces of artwork, including several Rembrandts, that had been stolen about a month earlier from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, he told the Globe in a lengthy interview.” – “After devastating flood, Norwood Hospital breaks ground on new facility,” by Mike Deehan, GBH News: “No one in the health care field had an easy 2020, but things were particularly bad for providers and patients in the Norwood area after their local hospital flooded and forced the closure of most inpatient services. Sixteen months later, a new hospital is set to be built at the same location to provide much-needed local medical support for a town still struggling to get through the COVID-19 pandemic. Steward Health Care, the hospital's owner, plans to open the new Norwood Hospital in 2024. Hospital employees, local leaders and activists who have pushed for the replacement hospital celebrated the groundbreaking of the new facility Tuesday alongside Gov. Charlie Baker, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch and others.” – “Massachusetts State Police trooper who appears to be sleeping in cruiser on side of the highway in YouTube video remains on active duty, officials say,” by Tom Matthews, MassLive: “The Massachusetts State Police trooper who appears to be sleeping in his cruiser on the side of the highway in a video that was uploaded to YouTube remains on active duty, officials confirmed to MassLive.” – “UMass puts tuition and fee hikes on table for next fall,” by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: “The University of Massachusetts may need to increase tuition for in-state students at the Amherst campus for the first time in three years to cover anticipated budget shortfalls caused by the pandemic and reduced enrollment. Andrew Mangels, vice chancellor for Administration & Finance, wrote in a Nov. 23 letter to the campus community that a 2.5% increase in tuition for in-state students and a 3% increase for out-of-state students, along with 3% increases in dining and housing fees, may be necessary in the fall of 2022.” – “More than 400 Cambridge students walk out of classes protesting sexual assaults and harassment,” by Naomi Martin, Boston Globe: “The demonstration, which follows two large recent student walkouts in Quincy and Braintree protesting racism, was organized by students calling for a heightened educational focus on sexual consent and other measures. Cambridge Superintendent Victoria Greer vowed to listen and work to address students’ concerns.” MEANWHILE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE – “After offering free at-home COVID testing kits, New Hampshire runs out after just one day,” by Douglas Hook, MassLive: “Just one day after Gov. Chris Sununu announced that New Hampshire was the first state in the U.S. to participate in a statewide program that delivers free at-home COVID test kits to residents, the state ran out.” TRANSITIONS – Micki Duncan, former national press advance lead on Sen. Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign and communications director for Rep. Stephen Lynch, has launched Bridgit Communications to elevate women leaders in business, politics and advocacy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Jennifer Jordan, John Murray and Joe Murray, Berry Kurland and Katie Wetstone. Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. 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Massachusetts letting millions in tolls go uncollected since electronic tolling began

 

CHARLIE BAKER as manager?

Charlie appointed incompetents who can't do their jobs and the media gives CHARLIE a FREE RIDE just as it always has.

$122 MILLION!

– “Massachusetts letting millions in tolls go uncollected since electronic tolling began,” by Mike Beaudet, WCVB: “The billing system that has taken the tolls' place has let tens of millions of dollars in unpaid tolls go uncollected. In all, the unpaid tolls continue to add up, $122 million owed to Massachusetts and counting.”

BOSTON —

Toll booths became history in Massachusetts in 2016, and backups at the tolls disappeared with them.

The billing system that has taken the tolls' place has let tens of millions of dollars in unpaid tolls go uncollected. In all, the unpaid tolls continue to add up, $122 million owed to Massachusetts and counting.

Some of the unpaid tolls haven't been paid in three years or more according to records obtained by 5 Investigates.

The toll money would go back to help Massachusetts highways and bridges.

"That's too bad because they could use that money to improve the roads and everything which are really bad here in Massachusetts," said Stephanie Koplin-Baucum of Westwood, interviewed as she stopped at a gas station in Newton.

The records show that 41% of unpaid tolls are from drivers from out of state, totaling $51.1 million.

The team at 5 Investigates tried to obtain a list of the biggest offenders. The state would not release the names because of privacy concerns. They did provide the amounts owed.

"I don't know how they get away with not paying. Doesn't Massachusetts do something?" Koplin-Baucum said.

Most of the top 100 offenders are from Massachusetts. The biggest scofflaw owes nearly $90,000 in tolls, followed by bills for $50,000 and $22,000.

The official term for unpaid tolls is "leakage."

"There are a lot of companies that do owe us quite a bit of money and we'll be chasing it," said Steve Collins, MassDOT's assistant highway administrator for tolls.

Collins said Massachusetts is receiving more money than it expected to get, and that before the pandemic hit, the state was meeting its goal to collect as much toll revenue as it did before electronic tolling.

"No one can deny that that's a lot of money and we want we obviously want to. We want to capture it in whatever way we can," Collins said.

MassDOT’s Steve Collins said the state has hired debt collectors to go after unpaid tolls.

To capture the cash, the state can stop people with unpaid tolls from registering their cars and shares information with New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island and New York to stop violators from registering their vehicles there.

Massachusetts is also hiring debt collectors to go after the money. We discovered MassDOT has been talking about hiring a debt collector for more than two years.

"Why has it taken so long to put a debt collector in place?" 5 Investigates' Mike Beaudet asked.

"It was the process," Collins said. "The whole contracting process going out to bid, reviewing all of the proposals."

It's a process that continues on multiple fronts as the unpaid tolls add up.

"We plan to continue to chase it and come up with any of the new ideas that we possibly can until the day we die," Collins said.

MassDOT said three debt collector vendors have finally been hired and that work started earlier this month in an attempt to recoup the millions in unpaid tolls.

https://www.wcvb.com/.../5-investigates.../38324380...

WCVB.COM

Mass. letting millions in tolls go uncollected since electronic tolling began

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