Baker takes leadership role for Repub Govs

Printed from: https://newbostonpost.com/2015/07/23/baker-takes-leadership-role-for-repub-govs/

Written by Matt Murphy

In Colorado for Republican Governors Association meetings, Gov. Charlie Baker became one of three governors appointed to serve on the group’s executive committee to replace New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who all resigned to focus on their presidential campaigns.

Baker, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts will join the nine-member panel led by RGA Chairman Gov. Bill Haslam of Tennessee.

Baker is one of 33 Republican governors, and stood out among his peers early in his first term for favorability numbers north of 70 percent in a strongly Democrat-leaning state. Since taking office, Baker has spoken little, and reluctantly, about national politics, and his team has downplayed the governor’s participation in events like the RGA conference in Colorado this week, for which there has been little public information about his activities. The RGA played a significant role in boosting Baker’s candidacy last year, helping him to beat Democrat Martha Coakley in one of the state’s closest races for governor.

“The RGA is the most effective political organization in the country because our governors are directly involved in its process and success, and I’m proud to have Governors Baker, Ducey and Ricketts join the RGA Executive Committee,” Gov. Haslam said in a statement announcing Baker’s appointment. “These newly elected GOP governors, only six months into their terms, are getting results for their states by driving successful reform and already have impressive records and high approval ratings. They will be valuable members of the RGA’s leadership.”