The Good Thing

Will Charlie Baker return some semblance of two-party balance to Massachusetts?

Republican Charlie Baker, the well-financed CEO of Harvard Pilgrim, has jumped into a quickly swelling 2010 gubernatorial race only two days after Treasurer Timothy Cahill said he decided to switch political parties.

Baker, who is largely unknown to voters throughout the state, will leave Harvard Pilgrim on July 17 and set up a political committee by July 28, according to a source close to Baker.

He vowed to focus on jobs and the economy if elected.

“The biggest thing you have to do to grow jobs is to live within your means,” Baker said today during a press conference at Babson College in Wellesley. “The opportunity to do the most reform is usually in a down market and down economy and that’s what we have.”

When asked if he’ll run as a socially liberal Weld Republican, he replied: “Yah.”

Baker also said too many young people are leaving the state and “those people represent our future.”

“Frankly,” he added, “it’s a pretty dark picture and I don’t think we’re doing the kinds of things we need to do to make the picture better.”

Earlier in the day, Baker said it was time for him to make a choice.

“I am either the CEO of Harvard Pilgrim – or I’m building a campaign organization. I cannot do both,” Baker said in a statement.

On WRKO-AM Wednesday evening, Boston talk-radio star Howie Carr expressed his concern that a three-way race between Baker, Independent Tim Cahill and Democrat Deval Patrick could result in a second Patrick term (God help us). Maybe. Maybe not.

UPDATE: More from NECN, WBUR, the AP, Jon Keller, Jim Geraghty and David Bernstein.

SECOND UPDATE: More from the Herald, Wayne Woodlief, Howie Carr and Margery Eagan.

THIRD UPDATE: From the AP, Lynn Daily Item, Holly Robichaud, Joan Vennochi, the Globe, the Bedford Minuteman and the Boston Herald.

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