Kennedy’s Seat: Mass. Governor Sets Date for Special Election

Updated BOSTON - Gov. Deval L. Patrick on Monday set Jan. 19 as the date of a special election to fill the seat of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, although he reiterated his support for a change in law allowing him to appoint an interim replacement.

�gI wholly support the special election and the democratic process to fill the remaining two years of Senator Kennedy�fs term,�h Mr. Patrick said at a news conference Monday afternoon. �gBut I will continue to work with the legislature on legislation authorizing an interim replacement to the US senate for the five months until that special election happens. This is the only way to ensure that Massachusetts is fully represented until the voters of the Commonwealth select our next senator in January.�h

The legislature�fs Joint Committee on Election Law announced Monday it was moving up a hearing on the interim appointment from October to Sept. 9. Mr. Patrick said he is in close touch with legislative leadership, and they are working �gas fast as they can�h to expedite hearings.

�gI think they are trying to work their way through it and are talking to their members and listening to their members,�h Mr. Patrick said, adding it is not certain that the change will pass.

�gThe people of Massachusetts lost a great advocate for our interests with the passing of Senator Kennedy,�h said Rep. Michael J. Moran, chair of the election law committee, in a statement. �gHis death has caused the Committee on Election Laws to accelerate the time line on this piece of legislation. I look forward to hearing from the public their opinion on the issue.�h

Several names have been bandied about as contenders for the Senate seat, including former Representative Joseph Kennedy. Over the weekend, Republican and Democratic senators who were friends of the Kennedys suggested that the senator’s widow, Vickie Reggie Kennedy, a lawyer, would be widely welcomed as an interim choice.

Update: The governor said he had talked with her personally, adding “Mrs. Kennedy is not interested in the position” of interim senator.

Secretary of State William F. Galvin said Monday the primary for the seat will be Dec. 8. Certified nomination papers must be filed by the close of business Nov. 3.

Mr. Patrick has been in touch with Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who are pushing for the change to ensure enough votes for contentious issues including health care and climate change.

But the change in law puts Democrats in Massachusetts in an awkward position - until 2004 state law called for the governor to appoint a temporary replacement if a seat became vacant. But when Senator John Kerry ran for president, the Democratic-controlled legislature wanted to prevent Republican Gov. Mitt Romney from appointing a successor if Senator Kerry won.

Mr. Patrick said he was �gnot here at the time�h of the change, and that Massachusetts needs its two Senate seats filled in Congress.

Mr. Patrick said he wanted assurance from a temporary candidate that he or she will not run in the special election. It is �gtoo soon�h to start naming potential appointments, he said.

�gI don�ft need this headache�h that comes with the political business of �gtelling one person yes and lots of people no,�h Mr. Patrick said, but the �gCommonwealth needs two voices in the Senate.�h

For the time being Mr. Patrick has another pressing issue to deal with ? he�fs having hip replacement surgery tomorrow at Massachusetts General Hospital and will be admitted for a few days.