Paul Kirk to fill Kennedy’s vacant Senate seat?

Paul G. Kirk Jr., the former chairman of the DNC, will replace the late Ted Kennedy in the Senate until a special election is held in January, according to FOX News.

But a constitutional dispute is delaying final passage of a bill allowing Gov. Deval Patrick to name Kennedy’s successor.

Kennedy’s sons had urged the governor to pick Kirk, a former aide to the late Massachusetts Democrat.

A family confidant told The Associated Press Wednesday both Edward Kennedy Jr. and Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., had endorsed Kirk in separate phone calls.

A top aide to Massachusetts Patrick confirmed the contacts but added, “No decision has been made yet.” A spokeswoman in Patrick Kennedy’s congressional office declined to comment.

Massachusetts lawmakers are expected Wednesday to give final approval to a change in the Senate succession law so the governor can temporarily fill Senate vacancies. The interim senator would serve until the seat is filled permanently through a special election on Jan. 19.

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September 23, 2009 · Filed Under congress, Democrats


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