Patrick: MA SEN Special Set For 1/19/2010
In a presser this p.m., MA Gov. Deval Patrick (D) said the special election to fill the seat of the late-Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) will take place on Jan. 19, 2010.
"Massachusetts voters will have their opportunity to fill this Senate vacancy," Patrick said.
Last week, MA Sec/State William Galvin (D) proposed that the special take place on 1/19 or 1/26, with the primary to take place on 12/8 or 12/15. Under MA law, Patrick was required to select a date and notify officials by early this week. The primary date will be announced on the sec/state's website by the end of the day, Patrick said.
Even with the election dates set, the brouhaha over whether Patrick has the authority to appoint an interim replacement for Kennedy continues. The state joint cmte on election laws is considering a bill that would accommodate Kennedy's request to have the gov. appoint a successor to fill the vacancy until voters go to the polls in the special. Earlier today, the chairs of that cmte announced that they have moved up the bill's hearing date from early Oct. to Sept. 9, with the possibility of a vote "within days" of the hearing.
But with the specter of '04 still fresh in the minds of many lawmakers and voters, the bill's future is uncertain. At that time, MA Dems rejected such a change because they did not want to give then-MA Gov. Mitt Romney (R) the power to appoint a replacement -- likely a GOPer -- should Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) have won the WH. Now that Dems control the gov's mansion, they face an uphill battle in explaining the about-face.
In today's presser, Patrick stepped up the pressure on state lawmakers to support the bill.
Patrick: "Let me be clear: I wholly support the special election and the democratic process to fill the remaining two years of Senator Kennedy's term. But I will continue to work with the legislature on legislation authorizing an interim appointment to the United States Senate for the five months until the special election happens."
More: "This is the only way to ensure that Massachusetts is fully represented until the voters of the state elect our next senator in January."
[FELICIA SONMEZ]