Massachusetts Governor appoints new Senator
January 30, 2013
By: George Sousouris
BOSTON, Massachusetts: Governor Deval Patrick (D) has appointed William “Mo” Cowan to fill the seat being vacated by recently confirmed Secretary of State John Kerry (D). Cowan, Patrick's former chief of staff, will hold the seat for the next five months until a special election is held to fill the seat this summer.[1]
In his announcement, the Governor praised Cowan for his "efforts to manage through the worst economy in 80 years and build a better, stronger commonwealth for the next generation." Cowan, a Democrat and former civil rights attorney, will not change the balance of power in the Senate at all, as Democrats will retain 53 seats. However, this will be a somewhat groundbreaking moment in Senate history, as it is the first time two black Senators will be serving simultaneously. The other is South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott. Cowan joins Elizabeth Warren (D), Massachusetts' first female Senator, in the state's Senate delegation.[2]
The announcement came amid speculation that former Rep. Barney Frank or Vicki Kennedy would be chosen to fill the seat.[1] Cowan has stated that he has no intention of running in the June 25 special election to serve for the remainder of Kerry's term.[3]
See also
|
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 TheHill.com, "Mass. governor's former chief of staff to be appointed to Kerry's Senate seat," accessed January 30, 2013
- ↑ Abcnews.com, "Meet the New Senator From Massachusetts: William Cowan," accessed January 30, 2013
- ↑ Reuters.com, "Massachusetts governor names former aide to fill Kerry's Senate seat," accessed January 30, 2013
| |||||
