Photo: Mario Jarjour/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The first Republican candidate has entered the 2022 race to become the next Governor of Massachusetts.
Former Massachusetts State Rep. and U.S. Senate Candidate Geoff Diehl announced his candidacy over the weekend at a Fourth of July barbeque in Hadley hosted by the Western Mass GOP Patriots.
As a state lawmaker, Diehl led a statewide campaign that rolled back an automatic gasoline tax increase. In 2018, Diehl lost his bid for senate to current Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Also serving as the Director of Business Development for TRQ Autoparts, he has been outspoken against the Transportation and Climate Initiative Program signed by Massachusetts Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and other New England governors.
Diehl joins the race with a number of Democratic opponents -- including State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, former state Senator Ben Downing and Harvard Professor Danielle Allen.
It is unclear at this time if Governor Baker will seek re-election in 2022.
WBZ NewsRadio's Tim Dunn (@ConsiderMeDunn) reports.
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Written by Rachel Armany