Gay-Friendly Republican Enters Massachusetts Governor Race

Fiscal conservative/social moderate Charles Baker entered the Massachusetts gubernatorial race this week, pledging to cut taxes and support same-sex marriage.

Baker immediately pledged not to raise taxes as governor, and even said he would try to lower the state’s increased sales tax – which will go from 5 percent to 6.25 percent on Saturday – if he is elected. “I’m a no new taxes candidate,” he said, adding later for the TV cameras, “Read my lips, no new taxes.” He said he was prochoice and was in favor of gay marriage – “My brother’s gay, and he’s married, and he lives in Massachusetts, so I’m for it. Is that straight enough?”

Baker is pro-choice and pro-death penalty. Democrats have dubbed him “Big Dig Baker,” in an attempt to tie him to a construction nightmare that plagued Boston for several years.