Walsh not yet tipping hand on governor’s race
Mayor Martin J. Walsh waffled on whether he’ll support Republican ally Gov. Charlie Baker for re-election as two Democratic contenders have emerged for the seat.
Setti Warren, the mayor of Newton, and Jay Gonzalez, exfinance secretary for former Gov. Deval Patrick, have thrown their hat into the ring for the 2018 Democratic primary.
Walsh said both reached out to him for a sitdown talk, but he’s not ready to support either.
“We’ll see what happens. I’m not sure who’s going to run,” Walsh told Boston Herald Radio’s “Morning Meeting” program yesterday. “I don’t think Jay ever held public office; Setti’s the mayor of Newton. Certainly they have records they can run on.”
Walsh signaled he doesn’t think Baker — with whom he’s been characterized as having a political “bromance” — is particularly vulnerable.
“Right now there’s a lot of good things happening in Massachusetts, and I think they’re going to have to find a niche ... against the governor,” Walsh said.
Walsh said he’s waiting for the field to develop further before backing a candidate.
“I’m not sure who else is going to run; everyone’s kind of waiting and seeing,” Walsh said. “The governor’s going to work hard. I mean, he’s working hard now, he’s all over the place.”
On persistent speculation that Attorney General Maura Healey might run, Walsh pointed to her recent statements that she’s aiming for re-election before adding, “I think a lot can happen from now till then. National politics is certainly turning a lot of things upside down right now.”
As for what would become of his working relationship with Baker if he endorsed a challenger, Walsh demurred.
“I focus on my life one day at a time, so I’m going to stick to that.”