OnTheIssuesLogo

Charlie Baker on Civil Rights

 

 


Running-mate supports existing law on gay marriage

Social conservative activists are threatening to walk away from Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker after his running mate, former state representative Karyn Polito, reversed her position this week, endorsing gay marriage. The Baker campaign, looking to placate social conservatives, said that Polito considers same sex unions to be accepted law. But the campaign would not make Polito available to be interviewed about her position.

"Karyn supported civil unions at a time when most Republicans did not,'' said Baker's campaign spokesman. "Like many, including President Obama, Karyn's position has evolved, and she now supports the existing law and will not work to undo the progress achieved over the last decade."

Baker has struggled to appease social conservatives before. During his 2010 campaign, he faced controversy after choosing Senate minority leader Richard Tisei--a gay, Republican who supports abortion rights--as his running mate.

Source: Boston Globe on 2014 Massachusetts Governor's race , Dec 6, 2013

OpEd: Campaign staff almost all white; others show diversity

Listen to the Massachusetts candidates for governor on the campaign trail and you'll hear calls for inclusion and praise for the state's diversity. Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike speak proudly of their intent to embrace all communities and aggressively protect civil rights. Yet despite the candidates' campaign rhetoric, their paid staffs do not always reflect the state's cultural tapestry. There are candidates with no black staff members, some without Hispanics on their payroll--at least one lacks both--and those who have not hired any Asian staff members. Among the large field of candidates, Democrats Martha Coakley and Steve Grossman and independent Evan Falchuk have staffs that best reflect the diversity of the state. Republican Charlie Baker has a staff that is almost entirely white. Democrats Joe Avellone, Juliette Kayyem, Don Berwick, and independent Jeff McCorm. (Boston Globe)
Source: Mass IEPAC: Research Profile on Charlie Baker, p.171-2 , Sep 1, 2014

2010: opposed trans-gendered "bathroom bill"; 2014: it's ok