Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican Politician who has routinely polled as the most popular guv in the country, is dealing with declining fundraising numbers amidst rising criticism for his handling of the coronavirus, stirring questions about whether he’ll look for re-election next year or even attempt to pass the torch early.
Why it matters: Progressively, the nation’s governors are under growing scrutiny for their states’ infection and death rates, financial losses and vaccine strategies. Democratic guvs representing 2 of the most populous states– Gavin Newsom of California and Andrew Cuomo of New York City– are fighting for their political survival.
- The departure of Donald Trump as president has actually eliminated a foil many governors utilized to discuss issues with their state COVID relief efforts.
Information: In Massachusetts, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito has greatly increased her fundraising while Baker’s has declined. They are up for reelection in 2022.
- Project financing reports reveal she ended last month with $1.95 million cash on hand; he finished with $590,000 She grew her balance by almost 10%throughout 2020; his decreased by over 35%.
- Seniors in the state are grumbling about long lines and confusing vaccination signups.
- Lawmakers at every level are mad, too, and there are remaining questions about why a medical mecca has had high case and death rates.
- A recent Boston World heading questioned the vaunted management skills of Baker, a previous health care executive and state budget plan chief.
- A Boston Herald columnist recently raised the specter of Baker taking a golden parachute by heading two newly merged health care business– Tufts Health insurance and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, where Baker formerly worked as CEO.
- Project spokesperson Jim Conroy said: “Governor Baker’s leading concern and focus stays handling the Commonwealth through the pandemic, instead of electoral politics.”
The intrigue: While Massachusetts is an extremely blue state, it has a history of choosing Republican guvs. 2 recent ones– Bill Weld and Paul Cellucci– presaged Baker and Polito by running in tandem with their lieutenant guvs prior to passing off the corner workplace.
- Weld left Cellucci as guv in 1997 throughout a failed mission to end up being U.S. ambassador to Mexico. Cellucci left Jane Swift as governor in 2001 after winning verification as ambassador to Canada.
- Baker served both Weld and Cellucci as secretary of Administration and Financing. Polito has been a faithful Baker ally, and Massachusetts has a reasonably thin Republican bench.
But, but, but: Local politicos have actually kept in mind that Baker invested much of the past year managing COVID-19, impinging on his political activity and making fundraising appear unseemly.
- He likewise raised cash during his first 2 campaigns in big pieces through a political action committee that could accept contributions surpassing the $1,000 limit on specific contributions.
- One Baker advisor informed Axios that when Baker leaves workplace– almost certainly not before any term ends– the governor is not likely to presume a CEO function.
Baker’s problems could be even worse— simply look at some of his equivalents. In California, Newsom deals with a threatened recall effort. In New York, Cuomo faces the rage of state legislators– and prospective legal jeopardy.
- Cuomo won rave reviews and an Emmy and wrote a book after his televised omnipresence while the coronavirus wrecked New york city last spring. Now he faces federal investigations into his handling of nursing home deaths and allegations of browbeating his medical advisors
- Newsom was slammed for his state’s COVID renewal, rigid lockdowns and his individual habits, including eating at a Michelin-starred restaurant Napa Valley without apparent social distancing
What we’re seeing: Massachusetts Attorney General Of The United States Maura Healey, a Democrat, has been weighing a quote for governor, and a Democratic previous state senator has already declared his candidacy.
- Another prominent Democrat, former Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy III, lost a primary project to unseat Democratic Sen. Edward J. Markey last fall. He has actually stated he has no instant plans to run for any other optional workplace, however just recently released a grassroots arranging effort
Editor’s note: Updates with remark from Baker representative, and changes speculation about prospective next jobs.
No comments:
Post a Comment