Massachusetts Republican gubernatorial
hopeful Charlie Baker has chosen state Senator Richard R. Tisei, an
openly gay man, to be his running mate.
The announcement was posted Monday
morning on the
candidate's website.
“Richard has years of experience
fighting for the taxpayer on Beacon Hill and I'm thrilled to have him
on the team,” Baker said.
In a November 19 interview with the
Boston Globe, Tisei publicly disclosed his sexuality, saying:
“It is not exactly a news flash. I don't think people really care
these days.”
At 22, Tisei was the youngest
Republican to be elected to the House. He moved to the Senate in
1991.
Baker is considered a moderate himself,
in favor of gay marriage and a woman's right to choose. The pair
will face store magnate Christy Mihos in the Republican primary.
Being gay in Massachusetts is becoming
increasingly irrelevant. Gay men and lesbians won the right to marry
in the state five years ago.