Cahill ad labels Baker as ‘a special interest’
State Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill’s campaign released an online ad yesterday targeting Republican gubernatorial rival Charles D. Baker for having led a major health insurer and for accepting campaign contributions from the health care industry.
The ad, available on Cahill’s campaign website and other Web locations, shows a man in a suit with layered nametags saying “Charlie — Concerned Citizen’’ and “CEO Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.’’ Later in the ad, a $100 bill is stuck to his suit lapel. The ad concludes with “Charlie Baker can’t eliminate special interests. He is a special interest.’’
Baker, who served as chief executive officer of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care before stepping down in July to seek the Republican nomination for governor, made millions of dollars after the state universal health care initiative passed and premiums skyrocketed, said Cahill campaign manager Adam Meldrum.
“His campaign for governor is being funded by the very insurance companies for whom he helped make millions,’’ he said in a statement yesterday.
Amy Birmingham, chief of staff of Cahill’s campaign, said the ad was made to respond to Baker’s call for transparency in government.
Cahill is running as an independent.
Baker’s campaign has raised more than $260,000 from employees of health care providers, other insurers, and related businesses in the health care sector, the Globe reported last month.
“He had a seat at the table with [former governor Mitt] Romney,’’ Birmingham said. “Charlie, in his own right, is a special interest.’’
Rick Gorka, spokesman for Baker’s campaign, responded to the ad late last night.
“Charlie’s message of lower taxes, reining in spending, and reforming Beacon Hill will be what matters to voters in November, not desperate attacks in March,’’ Gorka said.
