In politics, 2014 will be remembered as the year republicans reclaimed the governor’s office and the US Senate in Washington.
Charlie Baker Defeats Martha Coakley
Hours after the polls closed on Election Day, Republican Charlie Baker addressed his tired but overjoyed supporters. Thanks to a mere 40,000 votes, Baker is headed to the governor’s office.
The election was so close that Democrat Martha Coakley waited until the next day to concede.
A lukewarm campaign turned hot in the final days when Baker wept during a debate and Coakley got clobbered by negative campaign ads.
After 8 years in the corner office, Governor Deval Patrick will step down in January.
Casino Gambling Approved
The governor’s legacy will endure as Massachusetts voters approved statewide casino gambling, which he supported.
Two ground-breaking ceremonies for resort casinos in Springfield and Everett are scheduled for next year.
Jeanne Shaheen Defeats Scott Baker
It was another close election in New Hampshire. Former Massachusetts US Senator Scott Brown failed to win back a seat, beaten by incumbent Democrat Jeanne Shaheen.
With the loss Brown became the only man in history to have lost senate races to two women in two separate states.
Obama Takes Action After Republican Sweep
President Obama reacted to a Republican swing on Capitol Hill with a powerful executive order that shook up the nation’s immigration debate: the president’s action will allow up to five million immigrant to stay in the United States without fear of deportation for at least three years.
Then, in another exercise of presidential power, President Obama normalized relations with communist Cuba.
CIA Releases Torture Report
At year’s end, for the first time, the world learned how brutal the CIA torture techniques were after Sept. 11. No one was happy with the possible consequences of releasing the information.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh Sworn In
The city of Boston kicked off 2014 with a new mayor. Marty Walsh was sworn in after illness brought Mayor Tom Menino’s 20-year run to a close.
Mayor Tom Menino Succumbs to Cancer
In October, Menino lost his long battle with cancer.
The tributes and tears were felt far and wide for the city’s longest serving mayor. People said goodbye to an unusually popular politician remembered for his common touch.