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As expected, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has named Paul Kirk as the late Sen. Ted Kennedy’s replacement. On Tuesday, the Massachusetts State Senate passed a bill allowing the Governor to name an interim senator until January 19, 2010, when an election for a permanent replacement will be held.
Kennedy’s family allegedly lobbied for Kirk – who is a family friend and former Kennedy staff member – to be selected for the temporary Senate seat. Kirk served as an aide to Sen. Kennedy from 1969 until 1977, and currently is the chairman of the board of directors of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. In addition, Kirk is a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee. The close relationship that Kennedy and Kirk shared makes it more likely that Kirk will vote in line with Kennedy’s political beliefs and philosophy.