gov. charlie baker. | ap photo/elise amendola by lauren dezenski 10/20/16 04:39 pm edt boston <u+2014> republican gov. charlie baker on thursday pushed back against criticism from u.s. sen. elizabeth warren, who said he should <u+201c>stand up<u+201d> to his party<u+2019>s presidential nominee. <u+201c>i don't know how much farther away i can get away from the guy,<u+201d> baker said of donald trump during his monthly appearance on boston public radio<u+2019>s ask the governor segment . "i was already pretty far away to begin with. i was the third elected republican official in the country to say i wouldn<u+2019>t vote for him." story continued below after trump<u+2019>s primary victories in new hampshire and massachusetts, baker became the first republican governor to come out against the new york businessman. since then, he has sought to distance himself from trump but has largely avoided being an outspoken voice, instead telling reporters he is focusing on governing and supporting candidates down the ballot. baker said his decision to break with trump in march was motivated by his disgust with trump's comments about fox news anchor megyn kelly and about banning muslims. "i thought that was outrageous and disgusting. i<u+2019>ve made my point of view with respect to mr. trump pretty clear for a long time," he said. last week, warren, a democrat and surrogate for hillary clinton, told reporters baker<u+2019>s stance is <u+201c>not enough.<u+201d> <u+201c>it<u+2019>s not enough for any republican leader," warren said . "it<u+2019>s not enough to do this dance in-dance out, <u+2018>oh, i<u+2019>m not voting for him but on the other hand i<u+2019>m not going to condemn what he said.<u+2019><u+201d> baker plans to vote for neither trump nor clinton <u+2014><u+00a0>nor any third-party candidate. "for the first time in my life i<u+2019>m not going to vote for president, which is hugely disappointing," he said. lauren dezenski's must-read rundown of what's up on beacon hill and beyond
baker defends his anti-trump efforts
lauren dezenski