Mass. Gov. Hopeful Picks Gay Running Mate

Breaking news reports indicate that Charlie Baker, a moderate Republican running for governor of Massachusetts, has chosen state senator Richard Tisei (pictured), who is gay, to be his running mate.

Baker reported the selection on his Twitter account on Monday morning.

"Want you to be the first to know: I've chosen State Senator Richard Tisei as my running mate," tweeted Baker. "Excited about this team," he said.

A formal announcement is expected for Monday at 11 a.m. in Tisei's hometown of Wakefield, according to the Boston Herald.

According to the GayPolitics.com, Tisei, who is the senate minority leader, played a key role in the fight to retain marriage equality in Massachusetts.

Baker and Tisei will face candidate Christy Mihos, a convenience store magnate, in the Republican primary, the Herald reports. The winner will face state treasurer Timothy Cahill, an independent, and incumbent governor Deval Patrick in a three-way contest in 2010.

Patrick Guerriero, now the head of Gill Action, ran for lieutenant governor as an openly gay Republican in Massachusetts in 2002.