GOP firebrand moves to outflank Baker among conservatives
Lively, who shocked political observers by picking up nearly 30 percent of the votes at the
He expects the issue to be a major factor when voters go to the polls for the
"
Baker has shrugged off the attacks, suggesting that Lively isn't fit to be running for elected office in
"There's no place and no point in public life for a lot of the things
Lively is a controversial figure, even by conservative standards. He has called homosexuality a "crime" and "blasphemy," and he penned a book arguing that the
But his candidacy has given voice to conservatives upset at Baker for distancing himself from social issues they feel strongly about, from abortion to illegal immigration to welfare reform.
Baker's public opposition to many of Republican President
"They're disappointed that he hasn't dealt with a lot of the social and fiscal issues, such as controlling state spending," said
Though he lost the state to Democrat
But Tripp, who backs Baker over Lively, said he doubts the opposition from some conservatives will be enough to deny Baker a second term as governor.
"It all boils down to whether conservatives will show up to vote in primary or decide to sit it out," he said. "That remains to be seen."
Baker edged out Democrat
Should Baker and his running mate, Lt. Gov.
Democrats
A Baker-Polito campaign spokesman said the duo are "proud to have broad support for their bipartisan approach to governing and focus on the priorities that matter for the people of
"They look forward to building on their record, and making the case with voters for re-election in November,"
The
In an effort to give the party broader appeal in
His involvement in state committee contests traced to the party's convention in 2014, when he and other moderates were outraged as a majority of committee members adopted a socially conservative platform. It cited the party's opposition to abortion, among other affirmations.
Baker, who is pro-abortion rights and supports gay marriage, distanced himself from the platform, as did many other Republican leaders, including state Republican Chairwoman
In the party elections in
Lively says conservatives went out on a limb to help get Baker elected, returning a Republican to the governor's office for the first time in a decade.
He said Baker should have remained neutral in the committee races, and his involvement still riles conservative activists two years later.
"The money that he spent trying to take out the conservatives could have been spent on statewide races that ultimately went to
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