Cahill declares run for governor

BOSTON—Treasurer Timothy Cahill is a candidate for Massachusetts governor next year.

The two-term treasurer made the announcement Wednesday morning at a downtown Boston hotel, saying he is not entering the race “to run against any individual or party” but because he believes the state needs new leadership “to make Massachusetts a vibrant place once again.“

Cahill recently switched his party affiliation from Democratic to “unenrolled,“ allowing him to bypass a 2010 primary showdown with Gov. Deval Patrick.

Former Harvard Pilgrim Health Care President Charles Baker is running for the Republican nomination against convenience store magnate Christy Mihos, who is staying in the race.

A day after he said Mihos was considering switching into the U.S. Senate special election race, campaign spokesman Kevin Sowyrda said Wednesday that Mihos was remaining a Republican candidate for governor.

He said Mihos had been urged by state and national Republicans to consider entering the race to succeed the late U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, but he decided to remain put after discussions overnight with his wife and supporters.