Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick announced Monday that the special election to fill the Sen. Edward Kennedy’s seat will be held in January, but said he wants to make an interim appointment before then.
Patrick set the general election for Jan. 19. A source close to the proceeding said the primary will be held Dec. 8. Under state law, the election must be 145 to 160 days after a vacancy.
But Patrick said he will also push to change state law so that he can name an interim senator in the run-up to the election. Lawmakers have scheduled a public hearing for Sept. 9 on the proposed change, requested by Kennedy before his death last week.
Possible contenders include Kennedy’s widow Vicki Kennedy, nephew and former Rep. Joseph Kennedy, Attorney General Martha Coakley and several members of the state’s congressional delegation.
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Notes:
I watched Patrick live as he gave the news conference (just ended). Vicky Kennedy is out — she’s not interested.
Interesting!! The Democrats need the extra seat to allow for total control during votes so they’ll appoint one prior to the election, the very thing that TK worked against in years past. Oh well, if you’re the Empty Suit or a Kennedy, anything is possible.
Vicki might say she is not interested, but I bet she will be very involved behind the scenes.
It will shock Mass. if there is a Senator not named Kennedy, it is their given right. A couple of those grandsons will carry on in the future.
I was going to say the voters in Massachusetts would recognize this in the next election but they voted for Teddy for how many years? There is none so blind…
Americans are hopelessly enamored with the Kennedy clan, their adopted version of royalty, for good or ill. Here, the ‘lion of the Senate’ can almost be thought of as the Biblical King David, absolutely beloved of God, despite his shortcomings – similar to David’s. Look how King David worked it out. A terrific tale of redemption.
As one pundit remarked to the effect in the final analysis it has to do with individual choices made hour after hour, day after day, accumulating to a certain achieved record. This is where the next generation can pick up the ball if they’re paying attention. The present generation can pitch in with the same productive choices. It may involve ‘the road less travelled’. But heck, the traffic congestion won’t be missed.