Governor Charlie Baker has been endorsed by the Massachusetts Republican Party in his bid for another four-year term.
But Baker, who has positioned himself as a moderate, will now have a challenger on the primary ballot after nearly 30 percent of delegates voted in support of Scott Lively, a far-right figure known for his anti-homosexual views and a 2014 independent run for governor.
Baker, speaking to reporters at the Mass GOP convention in Worcester on Saturday, said he wasn’t concerned about a primary challenger.
“Well I’m more interested in the 70 percent of the delegates who supported my message and who have supported our administration and are supporting us going forward. And I’m honored and pleased to have their support. I’m also pleased that the Lieutenant Governor got 100 percent of the delegates today,” said Baker.
Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito is also seeking a second term.
Baker said Lively’s anti-gay rhetoric “doesn’t belong in public discourse.”
Lively, who says abortion is his number one campaign issue, said primary voters will now have the chance to hear "authentic conservatism".
He also addressed criticism for his anti-LGBT views.
"On LGBT issues? I have some fence-mending that I need to do with people in the LGBT community. You know, mea culpa. I have overstated things, not no much in my writings. I can defend anything I have written," said Lively.
Lively is the author of a 1995 book called Pink Swastika: Homosexuality in the Nazi Party.
Also at the convention, all three candidates vying for the party's endorsement to face Democratic U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren in November secured enough votes to secure a spot in the September primary.
WAMC's Josh Landes spoke with Lucas Willard on Sunday's Midday Magazine program. You can listen below:
