Charlie Baker Officially Enters Governor's Race

Charles Baker is officially leaving the business world behind for politics.

The former Harvard Pilgrim Health Care president is filing papers Wednesday to enter the 2010 Massachusetts gubernatorial race as a Republican.

The move comes as Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick sees his stock ebb in polls amid the state's recession and a 25-percent sales tax increase slated to take effect next Saturday.

After years of speculation about whether he might run for governor or U.S. Senate, Baker is taking the plunge with a round of media interviews on Tuesday and the paperwork filing on Wednesday.

The former Weld administration aide then heads to a Boston law firm for his first fundraiser.

Convenience store owner Christy Mihos is also seeking the GOP nomination.