Mass. Gov. Sets Date for Election to Replace Kennedy
A primary, which could be more important in the Democratic-leaning state, is expected to be held on December 8.
Under a state law passed in 2004, Patrick had to pick a time for a special election between 145 and 160 days after the vacancy.
The law was passed to prevent then-Republican Gov. Mitt Romney from appointing a successor to Sen. John Kerry had he won the presidency. But now, with a Democratic governor, there is a movement afoot, sparked by a letter Kennedy himself sent a week before he died, to allow Patrick to appoint a successor to serve in the interim before the special election.
In his press conference today, Patrick supported changing the law, and Massachusetts legislators have scheduled a public hearing on Sept. 9 to discuss it.
As for who will replace Kennedy in the Senate, speculation has been raging, but there appear to be two names off the list. Patrick said that he himself is not going to run (he's running for reelection as governor), and he reiterated that Kennedy's widow, Vicki, told him she is not interested.
For more on the speculation over the seat, check out this morning's "Politics Today" in Hotsheet.