Gov. Baker: Jim Lyons Should Resign As Mass. GOP Chairman

ANDOVER, MA — Gov. Charlie Baker called on Jim Lyons to step down as the chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party Friday over his support of a Boston City Council candidate who made anti-Asian comments, the Dorchester Reporter reported.

In response, the former Andover representative Lyons called on Baker to "reconsider his party affiliation."

As reported by the Dorchester Reporter, the Republican State Committee supported candidate Donnie Palmer in the September preliminary for at-large seats on the Boston City Council. Palmer did not advance to the Nov. 2 election.

On social media, Palmer called mayoral candidate Michelle Wu a "Chinese citizen" and paired an image of her with one of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Wu was born in Chicago to Taiwanese immigrant parents.

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Lyons knew about Palmer's comments and the party continued to support him, Boston.com reported.

After the Dorchester Reporter reported Baker's comments that Lyons should step down, Lyons party released a statement suggesting Baker consider leaving the party.

Lyons represented the 18th Essex district in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019. The district includes parts of Andover, Boxford, North Andover and Tewksbury.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.