The Somerville Times submitted six questions to the candidates for Governor, along with the opportunity to include a short bio/statement. The following answers were submitted by the candidates:

Charlie Baker

1. After your defeat four years ago against Governor Patrick, what made you decide to run again for the office?

I really enjoyed running for governor. My wife, Lauren, and I made many new friends and loved traveling the state and talking to the hard-working people of Massachusetts. I have always been drawn to public service; the time I spent working for Governors Weld and Cellucci were the most rewarding years of my professional life. I think Massachusetts is a great state with limitless potential but I don’t think our state government is giving people the government they deserve right now. I decided to run for governor again because I believe I have the right skills and right experience to make Massachusetts great for everyone, with more jobs, better schools and stronger communities.

2. If elected Governor would you continue to support and fight for the Green Line extension, alongside of the rest of Somerville’s residents and delegation?

If elected, I will continue to support the Green Line extension and work to ensure that the project is completed efficiently and on time. This project will be a catalyst for economic development in Somerville.

3. Would you support the vote on Question 1 on the ballot if voted down by the voters?

I believe that if the people’s representatives want to raise taxes they should have to stand up and be held accountable. I respect the will of the voters and I look forward to reducing taxes across the board in a fiscally responsible fashion as Governor.

4. What do you think of the one party rule in Massachusetts?

One party rule leads to a lack of transparency and accountability on Beacon Hill. The current political climate on Beacon Hill is one that is entrenched and protected by special interests who are all of the same party. I served eight years in the Weld and Cellucci administrations and saw how productive state government can be when both sides have to work together and compromise. As Governor, I will work across party lines to craft legislation that will make real and meaningful improvements to our economy and the lives of our citizens.

5. What is your opinion on transparency in the present Administration?

Over the past several years, there have been some concerning incidents that have shown that a lack of transparency is a problem that must be addressed. The failed Health Connector website which cost the taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars is a disappointing example of broken state agencies that need reform. I have proposed many reforms that will improve accountability in state government. My initiatives include ethics training, transparency in hiring, and annual random audits of agencies’ hiring practices.

6. What is an issue affecting Somerville you would address as Governor?

Throughout my campaign, I have talked about the importance of economic development and affordable housing in cities across the Commonwealth. I will work with members of the community in Somerville to support the Assembly Square project and work to mitigate the impact on Somerville of the Wynn resort project. While supporting growth, I will also work with members of the community to ensure that housing remains affordable for its residents and that small businesses continue to grow and create jobs.

Bio/statement:

Charlie Baker is a Republican candidate for governor of Massachusetts. A former Secretary of Administration and Finance under Governors Weld and Cellucci, and former CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Charlie has been a highly successful leader of complex organizations in both the private and public sectors.

As part of the Weld/Cellucci Administration, Charlie helped turn a billion-dollar deficit into a surplus, create a half million jobs, and enact ambitious education reforms. As Secretary of Administration and Finance, he oversaw a number of cost-saving reforms, modernizing state government and making it more efficient.

As CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Charlie led the company out of receivership to become the highest ranked health plan in the country for member satisfaction and clinical effectiveness six years in a row. During his tenure, Harvard Pilgrim was named one of Boston Business Journal’s “Best Places To Work” for seven straight years.

Raised in Needham, Charlie attended public schools and is a graduate of Harvard College. He earned an MBA from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Charlie and his wife, Lauren, have been heavily involved in numerous civic and charitable endeavors. They live in Swampscott, and have three children: Charlie, AJ, and Caroline.

Read more at https://www.charliebaker2014.com/.

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Martha Coakley

1. After your stunning defeat for US Senate race 4-years ago and how you fought back and got re-elected Attorney General, what made you decide to run for Governor this year?

Martha is running for governor to be a voice for the people of Massachusetts who need one and to fight for everyone’s interests, not just the interests of big corporations. Over the course of her career, she has continually stood up for the people of Massachusetts by going after the big banks on Wall St. that crashed our economy. As Governor, she will move Massachusetts forward and create an economy that is fair and prosperous for everyone.

2. If elected Governor would you continue to support and fight for the Green Line Extension, alongside of the rest of Somerville’s residents and delegation?

Decades of underinvestment have left us with roads and bridges that are crumbling and a public transportation system that is seriously outdated. The condition of the Commonwealth’s transportation system and other public infrastructure is critical to supporting our economy, promoting economic growth in every region, and reducing our impact on the environment. With that in mind, the Green Line Extension is exactly the type of high-impact project that Martha would look to pursue, because meaningful investments in our infrastructure now will help ensure economic prosperity and save Massachusetts’ taxpayers millions of dollars in the future.

As such, public transportation infrastructure is a critical link to connecting businesses, workers, and consumers to each other, and to economic hubs across the state, from metro Boston to Springfield.

3. Would you support the vote on Question 1 on the ballot if voted down by the voters?

Martha believes that if voters decided that the gas tax should not be tied to the consumer price index, then as a Commonwealth we would need to rethink the way that we invest in our infrastructure, our roads, bridges and rails.

4. What do you think of the one party rule in Massachusetts?

Over the last eight years in Massachusetts, Governor Patrick and the legislature have led the way forward for our Commonwealth. Our economy has improved thanks to the strategic investments Governor Patrick has made in education, innovation and infrastructure. And now families in Massachusetts have begun to rebuild after Wall St. crashed our economy. But that doesn’t mean we should be complacent. We have a long way to go, and Martha understands that. Those cities outside of Boston need help to restart their economies, and Martha has a plan to invest $500 million in those cities and towns that need it most with her regional economic plan.

The ability of the Governor to work with the legislature, regardless of their party, is essential to moving Massachusetts forward. Aside from the parties and politics, it’s about the people. Martha is looking forward to working with elected officials, both Democrat and Republican, to serve the people of the Commonwealth.

5. What is your opinion on transparency in the present Administration?

In any administration, transparency in government is a critical part of people trusting the government that serves them. With that in mind, transparency will be a staple element in the Coakley Administration.

6. What is an issue affecting Somerville you would address as Governor?

Here in Somerville, we are lucky to have wonderful innovation and creative economies. Martha knows this well, as her campaign headquarters are based in the Assembly Row area of Somerville. Assembly Row—and its new T stop—is a great example of the kind of growth we can create in Somerville.

Somerville has a growing innovative and creative economic base, and as governor Martha will continue to support the investments Governor Patrick has made in our state’s booming innovation sector, and Martha will also continue to provide support to help foster our creative sector here in Somerville.

Bio/statement:

A native of Berkshire County in Western Massachusetts, Martha has charted a career as a distinguished prosecutor before serving as Middlesex District Attorney and now as the Commonwealth’s first female Attorney General. She is a voice for fairness for those who need it most, and brings people together to drive innovative solutions to our biggest challenges.

Martha has successfully prosecuted some of the Commonwealth’s most dangerous criminals and brought landmark cases to protect consumers, taxpayers, civil rights, and the environment.

Martha has been a national leader in addressing the economic crisis by holding big banks accountable and keeping people in their homes, protected civil rights as the first Attorney General to successfully challenge the Defense of Marriage Act, tackled fraud and corruption, championed major initiatives to address the costs of health care and energy, and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars back for the Commonwealth’s taxpayers. Martha is a passionate advocate for public safety, bringing justice to victims of crime and their families while implementing innovative prevention programs in our schools and communities.

Martha was born and raised in North Adams. Her father was a World War II and Korean War veteran and a small business owner. Her mother was a homemaker raising five children. Martha was part of the first female class to attend Williams College, and received her J.D. from the Boston University School of Law. Martha lives in Medford with her husband, retired police Deputy Superintendent Thomas F. O’Connor, Jr., and their Labradors, Jackson and Jefferson.

Read more at http://www.marthacoakley.com.