GOP Convention Underway, Absent One Notable Mass. Party Leader: Charlie Baker

Cleveland, OH - Massachusetts' Republican delegates gather today in Cleveland for the GOP nominating convention, but they're short one prominent party representative -- Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker.

The governor has long said he will not be in attendance and has, from the start, opposed now-presumptive nominee Donald Trump.

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When the New York businessman and reality TV star effectively clinched the nomination in May, Baker told reporters, "Some of the things he's said about women, and about Muslims, and about religious freedom I just can't support." (Not that he'll support Hillary Clinton, either.)

Even before Trump's ascendancy, Baker had said he would not attend his party's national convention.

A spokeswoman in April told reporters Baker would not attend because the state legislature is in session, "and the administration will be closely monitoring several priorities as they move through the legislative process.”

At the time, Trump and Ted Cruz, who later bowed out, were leading the delegate count. Baker's chosen candidate, neighboring New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, was already out of the race.

Also not in attendance is fellow Massachusetts Republican leader and former Gov. Mitt Romney, for much the same reasons.

Read More:

• Massachusetts' GOP Governor 'Just Can't Support' Donald Trump
• Charlie Baker on Donald Trump: 'I don't plan to vote for him'
• Stop Asking Charlie Baker About Donald Trump

>> Photo via Mass. Governor Flickr