Frank Baker, a conservative voice on a left-leaning City Council, won’t seek re-election, opening up a District 3 seat he’s held for more than a decade.
Representing a district that includes most of Dorchester, and a portion of South Boston and the South End for six terms “has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Baker said, adding that the decision to step down “did not come lightly.”
“After lengthy deliberation, I am confident and certain this is my time to depart the Council and serve in a different capacity,” Baker said in a Thursday statement. “The privilege and responsibility of serving as a city councilor requires my round-the-clock dedication.
“I cannot fulfill my obligation in any other way than 100% committed to the duty of this role. For an assortment of reasons, now is the right time for me to move on to the next chapter of my life, with my family.”
Though Baker didn’t elaborate on these reasons, he’s been involved in contentious exchanges with his fellow councilors over the past year, and has been critical of the city’s mayor, Michelle Wu.
Baker was one of four councilors to vote against the city’s redistricting map. He opposed changes to his district and neighboring district four, which moved a chunk of southern Dorchester from D3 to D4. Advocates said the changes were necessary to add more white voters to avoid a situation of “packing” Black voters, the Herald has reported.
In one heated redistricting hearing, Baker described the changes as “an all-out assault on Catholic life in Boston. Fanning the flames of long-standing issues between Protestants and Catholics in Ireland, he said “the person leading the charge is a Protestant from Fermanagh,” referring to City Councilor Liz Breadon, who is from Northern Ireland. He later apologized for the remark.
A federal judge is weighing whether to implement a preliminary injunction to stop implementation of the redistricting map the Council passed last fall. The City Council is a defendant in the case, but Baker contributed $10,000 from his campaign fund to support the lawsuit, the Boston Globe reported.
After decades-old sexual misconduct allegations were unearthed against City Council Vice President Ricardo Arroyo during his bid for Suffolk County District Attorney, Baker filed a “17F” formal council public records request — seeking documentation about the investigations into Arroyo and his school disciplinary records, the Herald has reported.
Arroyo denies these allegations, and was never charged.
Baker, a Democrat and lifelong Dorchester resident was first elected in 2011, bringing what he described in a City Hall biography as a “strong, independent voice” to the City Council. Prior to this, he worked for the City of Boston Printing Department from 1987 to 2010.
Baker said his Council tenure resulted in “an even more thriving and vibrant community” for his district. For example, he said, there have been “substantial advancements in the expansion of the housing market, along with growth and development of our business communities.”
“Soon, my family and I will spend some well-earned time together to reflect on the service completed, as we approach this meaningful milestone,” Baker said. “My strong sense of faith, courage and passion for our great city of Boston will guide me, as I navigate this turning point.”