Mass. Governor Looking to Tap Interim Successor for Kennedy

According to Massachusetts law, the state will have to wait until a special election—set for Jan. 19—to replace the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, but Gov. Deval Patrick is hoping to appoint a placeholder to fill Kennedy’s seat before then.  —KA

The Washington Post:

The Democratic senator made a plea before he died that Massachusetts state law be changed so that a replacement could be named to fill his seat before the special election is held. Massachusetts lawmakers said earlier on Monday they will hold a public hearing next month to discuss changing the law.

“I will continue to work with the legislature on legislation authorizing an interim appointment to the U.S. Senate,” Patrick said at a news conference in Boston.

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Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has set Jan. 19, 2010, as the date for a special election to replace Kennedy in the Senate.