Charlie Baker Says Scott Brown is a ‘Worthwhile Candidate’ for Trump’s VA

2010 photo via AP

As politicians continue making pilgrimages to meet with President-elect Donald Trump, hoping to secure top spots in his administration, Gov. Charlie Baker is lending kind words to Scott Brown, who has made no secret of his interest in becoming head of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“I’ve certainly known Scott for a long time and he’s got over 20 years in military service as a citizen soldier, obviously a career here as a state legislator and as a U.S. senator and I certainly think he would be a worthy and worthwhile candidate,” Baker said Monday, according to the State House News Service. He added: “I certainly think Scott’s somebody who’s got the skill set and the experience to be a worthy candidate for a job like that and I hope they give him serious consideration.”

Baker had been an adversary of Trump’s during the campaign, saying he didn’t believe the businessman had the temperament for public office. He has struck a conciliatory tone since Trump’s surprise win, saying he would try to find common ground with the president and that he would give him a chance to lead.

Brown endorsed Trump way back in February, and has recently shared some ideas on what Trump ought to do at the start of his term, among them repealing the Affordable Care Act.

He met with Trump on Monday, and told reporters afterward that he and the president-elect “spoke about my passion and his passion, which [is] veterans and veterans issues,” adding, “You know, obviously I think the toughest job in the Cabinet is to lead the VA, because while it has so many angels working there, it has so many great problems as well. He is going to obviously take my application, interest under consideration.”

Brown isn’t the only Massachusetts figure who could play a part in the Trump White House. Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor (who has called Trump a “phony” and made a big show of mocking the candidate and warning the nation about the damage he would bring to American democracy) is being considered for Secretary of State.