Charlie Baker facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Charlie Baker
Baker in 2021
6th President of the NCAA
Incumbent
Assumed office March 1, 2023
Preceded by	Mark Emmert
72nd Governor of Massachusetts
In office January 8, 2015 – January 5, 2023
Lieutenant	Karyn Polito
Preceded by	Deval Patrick
Succeeded by	Maura Healey
Secretary of Administration and Finance of Massachusetts
In office November 1994 – September 1998
Governor	Bill Weld Paul Cellucci
Preceded by	Mark E. Robinson
Succeeded by	Frederick Laskey
Secretary of Health and Human Services of Massachusetts
In office October 1992 – November 1994
Governor	Bill Weld
Preceded by	David Forsberg
Succeeded by	Gerald Whitburn
Personal details
Born	Charles Duane Baker Jr. (1956-11-13) November 13, 1956 (age 68) Elmira, New York, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Lauren Schadt ​ (m. 1987)​
Children	3
Relatives	Charles Baker (father)
Education	Harvard University (BA) Northwestern University (MBA)
Signature

Charles Duane Baker Jr. (born November 13, 1956), known as Charlie Baker, is an American politician. Since 2023, he has been the 6th president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Before this, he served as the 72nd governor of Massachusetts from 2015 to 2023.

Baker is a member of the Republican Party. He also held important cabinet jobs under previous governors in Massachusetts. For ten years, he was the chief executive officer (CEO) of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, a company that provides health benefits.

He grew up in Needham, Massachusetts. He earned a bachelor's degree from Harvard University in 1979. Later, he received an MBA (Master of Business Administration) from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. In 1991, he started working for the state government.

Early Life and Education

Charlie Baker was born on November 13, 1956, in Elmira, New York. His family has lived in the northeastern United States for many generations. He is the fourth person in his family to be named Charles. His great-grandfather was a United States attorney in New York. His grandfather was a well-known politician in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

His father, Charles Duane Baker, was a buyer for a large company. His mother, Alice Elizabeth "Betty" Ghormley, stayed at home. Baker grew up with two younger brothers, Jonathan and Alex, in Needham, Massachusetts. He later moved to Rockport. He enjoyed playing football, hockey, and baseball as a child.

In 1969, his family moved to Washington, D.C.. His father worked for the United States Department of Transportation. They returned to Needham in 1971. Baker went to Needham High School, where he was on the student council and played basketball. He graduated in 1975.

Baker then attended Harvard College, graduating in 1979 with a degree in English. He also played on the junior varsity basketball team there. After Harvard, he went to Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and earned his MBA.

Government and Health Care Work

In the late 1980s, Baker worked at the Pioneer Institute, a research group in Boston. The founder of the institute recommended him to Bill Weld, who was about to become the Republican governor of Massachusetts. In 1991, Governor Weld hired Baker to work in health and human services.

Baker was promoted to Secretary of Health and Human Services in 1992. He later became Secretary of Administration and Finance. He kept this job when Paul Cellucci became governor after Weld. In this role, he helped plan how to pay for the Big Dig, a large construction project in Boston.

After eight years in government, Baker left to work in the health care industry. In 1998, he became CEO of Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates. In 1999, he became president and CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. This company was losing a lot of money. Baker made changes like reducing staff and increasing prices. Under his leadership, the company became profitable for 24 quarters in a row. It was also recognized as one of America's Best Health Plans for five years.

Return to Public Service

In 2004, Baker ran for the board of selectmen in Swampscott, Massachusetts, where he lived. He won and served for three years. He was known for his business-like approach to local issues. He decided not to run for reelection in 2007.

In 2009, Baker decided to run for governor of Massachusetts. He stepped down from his job at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. His campaign officially began in 2010. He ran against the Democratic governor, Deval Patrick. Baker won the Republican nomination easily.

Baker at the Rappaport Center for Law and Public Policy at Suffolk University Law School on February 4, 2010.

Baker focused on improving the economy during his campaign. However, he lost the election to Governor Patrick in November 2010.

Gubernatorial Campaigns and Governorship

In 2013, Charlie Baker announced he would run for governor again in 2014. The current governor, Deval Patrick, was retiring. Baker chose Karyn Polito as his running mate. She had changed her views to support marriage equality. Baker won the Republican Party's nomination again.

Baker at the Rappaport Center again on February 4, 2014.

In the general election, Baker narrowly defeated Democratic candidate Martha Coakley. He became the 72nd governor of Massachusetts.

Baker's first gubernatorial portrait

Baker was sworn in as governor on January 8, 2015. He was sworn in for his second term on January 3, 2019. He is known as a moderate Republican. This means he holds some views that are more common among Democrats. He often criticized former President Donald Trump. For example, he supported the effort to investigate Donald Trump in 2019. After the attack on the U.S. Capitol in 2021, Baker called for Trump to be removed from office.

In December 2021, Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito announced they would not seek reelection in 2022. They were the last Republicans to win a statewide office in Massachusetts.

Economic and Housing Policies

As governor, Baker started the Community Compact Program. This program gave money to communities for "best practice" projects. By the end of his time as governor, this program had given out many grants.

In 2016, Baker signed a bill to modernize how cities and towns manage their money. He also proposed a large economic development bill. In 2017, he announced a $350 million project to expand Boston Harbor. This project would allow larger ships to enter the harbor.

Baker (center) with General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt (left) and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh (right) at the April 2016 formal announcement that General Electric had agreed to move its headquarters to Boston

In 2016, General Electric moved its main office to Boston. This happened after Baker's administration offered grants and programs. His administration also supported new robotics manufacturing and life science facilities. They also helped bring broadband internet access to many towns.

For housing, Baker focused on using state land for new homes. He also dedicated over $1 billion to create and protect affordable housing. This included a $100 million fund for workforce housing.

Transportation Initiatives

Baker supported repealing a measure that would have increased the state's gas tax. On his first day as governor, he released $100 million to local governments. This money was for improving transportation. He also created a $30 million fund to fix potholes after a harsh winter.

In 2016, Baker signed a law to regulate ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft. This law added a small fee per ride and required background checks for drivers. He also signed a bill to improve local street safety and repair small bridges.

In 2016, Baker created rules for testing driverless cars in Massachusetts. He also oversaw the start of the state's electronic tolling system. In 2019, he signed a law banning the use of handheld cellphones while driving. He also supported studies for a new passenger rail line from Boston to Springfield.

Education and Energy Policies

For education, Baker proposed increasing the number of new charter schools. He also announced more funding for vocational education. He supported programs that made college tuition free for low-income high school graduates. He also helped launch early college programs, allowing high school students to take college courses.

In higher education, Baker announced a plan to make college more affordable. He also supported a pilot program for online learning. His administration provided grants for life science facilities at colleges.

For energy, Baker's administration worked to increase clean energy use. They launched initiatives for energy storage. Massachusetts was ranked first in energy efficiency for many years. Baker also signed laws to increase access to hydroelectricity and wind power.

Environmental and Health Care Policies

Baker's administration worked to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He signed an executive order to create a statewide plan for climate change adaptation. He also promoted the sale and use of electric vehicles. Baker criticized the United States' decision to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. He pledged that Massachusetts would continue to follow its standards.

For water quality, Baker's administration provided funding to test for lead in school drinking water. They also provided loans for projects to upgrade drinking water and wastewater systems.

In health care, Baker worked to make health insurance more accessible. He signed a law to increase the minimum age for using tanning facilities to 18. He also supported changes to the state's Medicaid program, MassHealth. Baker often spoke out against federal health care changes that he felt would harm Massachusetts residents.

Social Policies

Baker supported an existing law that grants in-state tuition to DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients. However, he opposed giving in-state tuition to other undocumented immigrants. After the 2015 Paris attacks, he expressed concerns about allowing more Syrian refugees into the state without proper vetting.

He opposed the Trump administration's travel bans. He argued that focusing on countries' religions would not make the country safer. Baker also reestablished the state's Black Advisory Commission. This group advises his administration on issues important to the black community.

In 2020, Baker signed a law making Juneteenth an official state holiday. He also signed a bill for police reform. This bill was created in response to Black Lives Matter protests.

NCAA President

On December 15, 2022, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced that Charlie Baker would be its sixth president. He started this role in March 2023. He is the first NCAA president who was not a college president or athletic director before taking the job.

In October 2023, Baker spoke to the U.S. Senate. He asked for federal laws about "name, image, and likeness" (NIL) deals for student athletes. He wants to make these deals fair and consistent.

Personal Life

Charlie Baker married Lauren Cardy Schadt in 1987. She worked in advertising and later served as Board Chair at Marian Court College. They live in Swampscott, Massachusetts. They have three children: Charlie, Andrew "A.J.", and Caroline.

Baker enjoys classic rock music from the 1970s and 80s. He is also a lifelong fan of Star Wars. He has said he does not like the newer Star Wars movies.

Electoral history

See also

In Spanish: Charlie Baker para niños