Godspeed Charlie Baker. Thanks For Your Service.

“Whether it's the grind of the day to day, or a crisis, we all need to work together because that's what great public service is all about.”     --Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker

Thanks, Charlie.

In less than a month, Governor Charlie Baker will step down and step away from public life after serving two full four-year terms as chief executive of the commonwealth of Massachusetts.  And I know for me, and perhaps for you, and I’d say for most Bay Staters: we will really miss Charlie.

For you see the Governor was that most rare of politicians. As far as I can tell, he was not in politics for the power, for the prestige, for his ego, or for financial gain.  He did not relish the campaign trail and often looked uncomfortable when forced to wade into partisan politics. Baker was not flighty, nor emotionally volatile, nor vitriolic in his words or his tweets, like one politician we’ve known all too well. Baker was not one to push to the front of the pack for the photo op and seemed ok with just being the tall guy in the back row.

So, again, thanks Charlie.

Baker was not perfect of course. What public servant is? I know I disagreed with him on several issues. I wish he had done a much better job on reforming and improving the “T.” Hoped he might have worked harder to prevent the COVID tragedy that unfolded at the Holyoke Soldiers Home.  I wish he’d pushed much harder to increase funding for state schools like my alma mater, UMass Amherst, so those places of higher learning might once again be affordable for more Massachusetts residents.

But who wants to elect a sycophant to office? One who does her or his best to appease and please as many people as possible, to be a “yes” man or woman, someone whose popularity matters the most to them? I know that’s not who I want in a public servant, whether a congressperson, a governor, or a local selectperson.

It was during the pandemic that Baker most powerfully shone through in his daily leadership. Day after day, for the better part of more than two years, Charlie stood up at a daily press conference, gave his fellow citizens updates and the latest news on efforts to battle COVID, and he always did so with calm, competence, and care.  We were incredibly blessed by his steering the ship of this state through a once every one-hundred-year public health emergency.

Truth be told, I think one of the big reasons Charlie looked so good in his soon to be finished eight years in office, is that he served in part, during the national administration of one of the most unpredictable, vindictive, partisan, and mean-spirited Presidents ever. Baker soars in status by comparison. Some might call him a policy wonk, one much more focused on getting things done and tackling problems in a serious and steady fashion, than preening for the cameras and to that I say, “Amen!”

And yes, at times, he was even a bit boring! I’ll take boring in my elected leaders! I’m just grateful for a leader, for any leader, who can lead the people with trust, hard work, and a sincere effort. Is that too much to ask out of those who govern us? I think not.  

Massachusetts will miss Baker’s steady stewardship of our beloved state and home.  During his time in office, I never once worried about him going off the deep end, or throwing a public hissy fit, or trying to steal an election.  He didn’t have time for that kind of political hackery and quackery. He just sought to do his job and to do it well.

All the best to you Charlie.

You can return home to Swampscott now and not worry about any protesters camping out in front of your home and disrupting your neighborhood. You’ll have a lot more time to spend with your loved ones and after all the work you’ve done, you deserve that. You won’t have to hold your nose or edit your words anymore when talking about your own political party. And even though many of us would love to see you seek higher office, you noted in a recent interview, “My wife is really looking forward to having me around a little more, so I don’t think I’ll be a candidate in 2024 for anything.”

Fair enough.  You did very well by the people you served in public service, and you left Massachusetts in good shape.  Governor-elect Maura Healey steps into an office with new challenges that no doubt will come down the pike, but I think it is safe to say that you will work with her on this transition and do so with class and bi-partisanship. You have made it clear in interviews that you are already rooting for her success. Not a surprise.

Thank you, Charlie. Job well done. Godspeed.

The Reverend John F. Hudson is Senior Pastor of the Pilgrim Church, United Church of Christ, in Sherborn, Massachusetts (pilgrimsherborn.org). He blogs at sherbornpastor.blogspot.com and is a resident scholar at the Collegeville Institute at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. For twenty-five years he was a columnist whose essays appeared in newspapers throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He has served churches in New England since 1989. For comments, please be in touch: pastorjohn@pilgrimsherborn.org.