Baker, who can at times grow emotional, remained solemn and straightforward during his roughly six-minute remarks, delivered from his ceremonial office at the Massachusetts State House. In the words of his late mother, Baker called it a “proper goodbye” filled with mixed emotions.
The Republican leader, ranked as the most popular governor in the nation, will depart the State House Wednesday evening during his Lone Walk ceremony — ahead of Gov.-elect Maura Healey and Lt. Gov.-elect Kim Driscoll’s swearing-in ceremony in the House chamber Thursday.
“We took a billion dollar budget deficit, turned it into a $5 billion surplus, and gave $3 billion back to taxpayers and put $7 billion into the state’s rainy day fund. We brought broadband access to Western Mass. so kids could research homework, parents could work from home, and businesses could grow and succeed there,” Baker said.
“We delivered major infrastructure projects long-promised but never done,” Baker continued. “We passed the first major housing reform bill in decades, so we could finally do something about the cost of owning a home.”
Throughout his two terms in office, Baker has struck a moderate tone, pushing for civility in politics and listening to diverging perspectives. Following Republicans’ national losses during the midterm elections, Baker in a rare CNN interview denounced political extremism, as he stressed voters — especially those in battleground states — want to see political leaders who are able to collaborate and represent all constituents.
In his farewell address Tuesday, Baker said his administration made progress “without partisan bickering.”
“Despite a myriad of political fights and distractions that were raging all around us, people here chose to focus on the work, and it paid off,” Baker said. “The personal and professional generosity, from the Berkshires to Cape Cod and every place in between, was always there. We were there, too, in the front row, watching and appreciating it.”
Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced last December they would not seek a third term in office, as the pair cited their priority of tackling the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other unfinished business. Baker, acknowledging that Massachusetts residents didn’t agree with all coronavirus-related decisions, also applauded Bay Staters for trying their “very best to abide by the rules and to share in the work to be done.”
“I believe that’s why we recovered almost all of the jobs we lost during the pandemic, why we have an unemployment rate that’s below the national average, and why the nationally renowned Commonwealth Fund concluded that we did a better job of managing the pandemic than every other state, except Hawaii,” Baker said.
Baker, who encouraged Bay Staters to maintain their generosity, told residents they will “sorely missed” by him and Polito.
Polito traveled to all 351 cities and towns across Massachusetts, while Baker visited more than 250 over their two terms. Baker said he and Polito had a “blast” attending thousands of fairs, ribbon-cutting ceremonies, conferences, dinners, fundraisers and other public gatherings.
“My staff used to give me a hard time when I would say yes to attending two, or three, or four of these events on a weeknight or a weekend, arguing that it would wear me out. I thought just the opposite,” Baker said. “It was like fuel for me. Watching people do good things to benefit others gave me joy.”
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