Vice President Mike Pence will also attend a Boston-area fundraiser for Minnesota Rep. Erik Paulsen. | Sarah Hoffman/Omaha World-Herald GOP governor absent from Pence visit to Massachusetts

BOSTON — Vice President Mike Pence is traveling to Boston Tuesday for two fundraisers — including one for the Republican National Committee, which is expected to haul in $500,000. But Massachusetts’ Republican governor won’t be at either of them.

Gov. Charlie Baker told reporters Monday that he will be in New Bedford during Pence’s visit and won’t attend the RNC event, adding “I didn’t know about it.” Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said she “wasn’t asked to attend” and has other commitments.


Pence’s office said it extended an invitation to the governor’s office.

Baker, who is up for reelection this year, has sought to walk a fine line between the Trump administration and a Massachusetts electorate that’s deeply unhappy with the president. Baker, in the most recent polling, held a 66 percent favorability rating among voters while Donald Trump was the mirror opposite — 66 percent had an unfavorable view of the president.

Baker denied he was making any statement by not attending the fundraiser. “I’m not sending a message,” Baker told reporters. “I’m just not going to be here because my calendar has all kinds of other stuff on it which is important.”

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The RNC’s Trump/Pence victory fundraiser includes a reception with a photo taken with the vice president for $15,000. Couples giving $35,000 will get the opportunity to join Pence for a small roundtable discussion, as well as a photo with the vice president.

RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel is also expected to attend.

Pence will also attend a Boston-area fundraiser for Maine Rep. Bruce Poliquin, according to Pence’s office.

The Boston trip, which follows Pence’s Easter vacation, marks his return to a busy travel schedule. Pence is in high demand on the campaign trail as Republicans face stiff political headwinds; he will travel later this week to Nevada and Nebraska. In recent months, he has made visits to West Virginia, North Dakota, Iowa, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Vice President Pence was scheduled to attend a fundraiser for Minnesota Rep. Erik Paulsen. Pence was scheduled to attend a fundraiser for Maine Rep. Bruce Poliquin; that event was later canceled.