Party Affiliation: Republican

Background: Baker attended Harvard College, graduating with a degree in English and earned an MBA from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. In 1988, he helped start the Pioneer Institute for Public Policy Research. In January 1991, Baker joined the newly elected Weld/Cellucci Administration as Undersecretary for Health in the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the following year became Secretary of Health and Human Services. In Fall 1994, Baker became Secretary of Administration and Finance. Baker was also CEO of Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (HVMA), and was recruited by Harvard Vanguard’s parent – Harvard Pilgrim Health Care – to serve as its CEO in May 1999.

Campaign Website: charliebaker2010.com

Party Affiliation: Independent

Background: Cahill graduated from Boston University in 1981 with a degree in political science. In 1987, he was elected to the Quincy City Council where he served until 2003. During that time, he was reelected seven times. In 1996, Cahill was elected Norfolk County Treasurer. Six years later in 2002, Cahill was elected to the position of Massachusetts State Treasurer and Receiver General and was re-elected in 2006 with the highest vote total of all the statewide elected officials.

Campaign Website: timforgovernor.com

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Background: Governor Deval Patrick was elected in the Fall of 2006. In 1978, Patrick graduated from Harvard College and in the Fall of 1979, Patrick returned to Harvard to attend their Law program. Following law school, he served as a law clerk to a federal appellate judge before joining the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund. In 1994, President Clinton appointed Patrick Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, the nation's top civil rights post. Patrick also has experience as a lawyer, working as a partner for the Boston law firm of Hill & Barlow as well as working for the firm of Day, Berry & Howard.

Campaign Website: devalpatrick.com

Party Affiliation: Green-Rainbow

Background: Jill Stein graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1973 and from Harvard Medical School in 1979. In 2002 ADD activists in the Massachusetts Green-Rainbow Party approached Dr. Stein and asked her to run for Governor of Massachusetts. Dr. Stein accepted, and began her first foray into electoral politics. She has twice been elected to town meeting in Lexington, Massachusetts. In 2008, Jill helped formulate a "Secure Green Future" ballot initiative that called upon legislators to accelerate efforts to move the Massachusetts economy to renewable energy and make development of green jobs a priority.

Campaign Website: jillstein.org