BOSTON -- Hoping to recapture the attention of Massachusetts voters, republican Charlie Baker rallied a crowd at Faneuil Hall Saturday to kick off his gubernatorial campaign.

Baker, who is running with Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei, generated enthusiasm in recent months by leap-frogging other candidates in fundraising, but his campaign ceded momentum to fellow Republican Scott Brown during the special Senate election.

Pledging to restore “fiscal sanity” to Beacon Hill, Baker criticized Gov. Deval Patrick and told supporters he intends to balance the state budget, implement sales and income tax cuts and improve the business climate in the state.

“As Governor, I will stand up for taxpayers to make sure state government lives within its means,” Baker said in a statement released by his campaign. “From day one, I'll work to cut spending, lower taxes, and start long overdue reforms to make state government accountable to the taxpayers of the Commonwealth.”

Baker served in the Weld administration as Health and Human Services secretary for two years and as the head of the Administration and Finance office from 1994 to 1998. He has only held one elected office as a selectman in Swampscott.

He was also at the helm of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care as CEO and president for 10 years.

The 52-year-old father of three earned a bachelor's degree from Harvard and a master's degree from Northwestern’s Kellogg School.

Besides Baker, Republican Christy Mihos and independent state Treasurer Timothy Cahill are challenging Gov. Deval Patrick, who's seeking re-election. Cahill was a Democrat before leaving the party to run for governor.

Baker is expected to make campaign stops in Springfield, Lowell and Worcester this weekend.