Election For Kennedy Seat To Be Held Jan. 19th Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick Announces Date Of Special E
• CBSThe push to name a successor to the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy gained momentum Monday, with state lawmakers scheduling a hearing on whether to allow an appointee to serve until a special election in January. Before he died last week, Kennedy had asked Massachusetts lawmakers to change state law to let the governor name an interim appointee to serve until voters can choose a permanent replacement. Current Massachusetts law does not allow an interim appointee. "This is the only way to ensure that Massachusetts is fully represented," Patrick said, but cautioned that "I don't think by any means it is a certainty it will happen." Patrick says the special election to fill Kennedy's seat will be held Tuesday, January 19, 2010.