Gubernatorial Hopeful Takes His Campaign To The Beach

Gubernatorial hopeful and Swampscott resident Charlie Baker made a stop at Devereux Beach Saturday morning for the annual picnic of The Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting.

ALPFA President Hector Lopez-Camacho and founder and past president Carol Sanchez said while the 2,200 person association doesn't endorse political candidates, they believe in Baker's message. While targeting Greater Boston, Sanchez said many of the more than 120 board members are from the North Shore. 

"He's a regular person," Sanchez said. "He knows the government is messed up and he thinks the same way I do, 'OK, what do we do to fix it?'"

Baker said so far, campaigning has been fun and he is enjoying the opportunity to meet a wide cross-section of people.

"The best part is I get to go into people's living rooms, backyards, VFW halls, shops, I would otherwise never go into," Baker said. "I've also gotten to talk to people outside of my circle of friends and colleagues, and see there are so many interesting ways people make a living in the state."

Baker referenced a recent conversation with a beekeeper at a meet-and-greet event.

"He actually raises the bees and then sells them to other people to make honey," Baker said. "It's so interesting."

Baker also said while he got some flack for sporting a "Big Blue" T-shirt in his campaign commercial now airing on television, support on the North Shore has been overwhelming.

"The North Shore has been really great," Baker said. "My kids have played in dozens of  basketball, football and lacrosse games against Marblehead, but Marblehead has been wonderful."

The stop was his first of the day before he went on to Cape Cod for more campaign stops. 

"I love talking to people about what is going on," Baker said. "No matter if they agree with me or not, everyone has been incredibly gracious."