State Sen. Baker: No truth to rumors about lt. gov. post

BILL O ’ BOYLE

boboyle@timesleader.com

State Sen. said she’s heard the reports, but she has not been formally approached to run for lieutenant governor on the Republican ticket.

“I am focused on working on the state budget and ridding Luzerne County of judicial corruption,” Baker, R-Lehman Township, said Thursday. “I’ve heard the rumors too, but I have not had any formal discussions with anyone about that position.”

Baker’s name has been mentioned in talks and on Internet blogs as a potential candidate for the lieutenant governor’s post. Her name has been linked to state Attorney General Tom Corbett, who has yet to formally announce his intention to run for governor, but is expected to run for the state’s highest office.

Brian Nutt, Corbett’s campaign manager, Thursday said Corbett has not reached out to Baker, nor has she contacted the attorney general about getting into the race.

Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run separately in the primary election and then the nominees run as a team in the general election.

“I can tell you that (Baker) has been mentioned, as has a whole host of other potential candidates,” Nutt said. “She is considered to be a rising star in the party.”

Nutt said Baker has an impressive record in the state Senate and resides in an area that could swing an election.

“We know Sen. Baker is well-respected in the northeast and across the state,” Nutt said.

Nutt said candidates usually decide first to seek an office and then reach out to party leaders. He said to his knowledge, Baker has not reached out to anyone in the Republican Party.

“All I can say is that her name has been mentioned frequently,” Nutt said.

Baker worked for former Gov. Tom Ridge and she has known Corbett for several years.

“It is always nice to have your name mentioned in a positive vein,” Baker said. “For me, public service is not about personal ambition – it is about getting results to benefit the region.”

Baker said serving as state senator is a great honor and responsibility.

“Over the past two and a half years, there has been the chance to accomplish important things for seniors, kids, veterans, firefighters, and many others, and these efforts are ongoing,” Baker said. “Right now, my overriding concentration is to achieve a balanced state budget that does not increase state taxes. Plus, I intend to keep working toward putting in place the remedies and reforms needed to respond to the judicial corruption in Luzerne County.”

Baker is serving her first term in the state Senate. She was elected in 2006.