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A highly popular governor and a rare statewide Republican in the northeast, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Wednesday he won't seek reelection in 2022.
Baker, who according to polling is more popular with Democrats and Independents, would have faced a primary from a Trump-backed challenger and a general election potentially against the state's popular Democrat attorney general Maura Healey or former Boston Mayor turned Labor Secretary Marty Walsh.
Baker first ran for governor in 2010, narrowly losing to incumbent Democrat Deval Patrick. Four years later he ran again and edged out over then-state attorney general Martha Coakley, a Democrat. He won again in 2018 by a landslide.
Baker's nonideological stance - he instituted aggressive coronavirus restrictions, was a proponent of abortion rights and some gun control measures - would have likely fared well in heavily blue Massachusetts, if he could make it through the primary. He is one of few northeastern GOP governors in Democratic states, including Vermont Gov. Phil Scott and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan.
'This was an extremely difficult decision for us,' Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito wrote in a letter announcing their decision not to seek reelection. '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
