Baker, lend some spotlight to Polito
Lt. gov. could be re-election secret weapon
Gov. Charlie Baker gives his election-year State of the State speech tomorrow night buoyed by a multimillion-dollar campaign account and sky-high popularity — but the pro-choice, LGBT-friendly Republican has failed to highlight one of his biggest campaign assets.
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, a Shrewsbury Republican who has worked tirelessly with cities and towns, has remained in the background of Baker’s nascent re-election campaign despite a historic groundswell of support for women in politics.
“She’s probably the best weapon he has for re-election,” said Springfield-based Democratic strategist Anthony Cignoli, who has seen Polito often in western Massachusetts.
“I don’t know what kind of espresso she drinks to stay on top of it all,” he added.
Polito has worked closely with most of Massachusetts’ 351 municipalities and remains a prominent figure in the Baker administration — but so far voters aren’t likely to know it. Lieutenant governors historically have wielded little authority and have had even fewer chances to grab headlines.
Baker can change all that simply by bringing Polito center stage during common-sense events such as the Massachusetts Municipal Association breakfast. And he certainly can cast her as an equal partner in the upcoming gubernatorial campaign.
The Baker campaign claims it is already doing that.
“We think of her as an all-star and an incredible asset,” insisted Jim Conroy, Baker’s campaign manager, adding that Baker has been emphasizing their partnership. The executive office is officially called the Office of Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.
“I would argue they already do take a co-role approach,” said Conroy.
A larger campaign role could differentiate Polito from past Republican lieutenant governors and allow Baker to distance himself from the gender slams that have hurt other Republicans like former Gov. Mitt Romney.
Romney famously prompted GOP acting-governor Jane Swift’s exit from the 2002 gubernatorial race, and several Republicans reportedly complained that former Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey wasn’t given a chance to co-govern during Romney’s administration. He later got hit for his “binders full of women” remark during the 2012 presidential campaign.
While Baker already boasts a high approval rating among female voters, giving the capable and efficient Polito a stronger role is the insurance he needs in a year when the focus on women’s equality in politics has surged following a nationwide condemnation of sexual harassment and a backlash against President Trump. Especially if, as long rumored, he ultimately does find himself facing off with Attorney General Maura Healey.