Patrick Appoints Interim Senator; Special Election Set for June 25
Staff Reports On: 10:32AM / Wednesday January 30, 2013
BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick appointed William "Mo" Cowan as interim U.S. Senator, filling the seat left vacant by U.S. Sen. John Kerry. Patrick also announced that the special election to fill Kerry's seat will be held on June 25.
Cowan is the former chief of staff and chief legal counsel to Patrick, having served in the Patrick-Murray Administration since 2009.
"I am proud and delighted to appoint Mo Cowan as interim U.S. Senator from Massachusetts," Patrick said. "Mo's service on the front lines in our efforts to manage through the worst economy in 80 years and build a better, stronger Commonwealth for the next generation has earned him the respect and admiration of people throughout government. The people of the Commonwealth have benefited from his wisdom and good judgment during his time in our office, and will again in the Senate."
"I am honored and humbled by this appointment today," said Cowan. "I pledge to you and the people of Massachusetts that during this interim period I will work as hard as humanly possible to perform my duties with the needs and aspirations of our state's citizens foremost in mind."
From 1997 to 2009, Cowan practiced civil litigation as an associate and later a partner in the Boston office of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, PC and as a Special Assistant District Attorney in the Office of the Middlesex County District Attorney.
Cowan is a graduate of Duke University and Northeastern University School of Law, and lives in Stoughton with his wife, Stacy, and their two young sons.
Currently, U.S. Rep. Edward J. Markey of the 5th Congressional District is the only announced candidate for the special election. However, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch is expected to announce his candidacy Thursday afternoon at Iron Workers Local 7 in South Boston. The Democratic primary is scheduled for April 30.
On the Republican side, former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown is expected to run, but has been quiet since being defeated by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
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The state is holding a special election to fill the seat vacated by John F. Kerry, who has been confirmed as U.S. secretary of state.
The state primary is Tuesday, April 30. The last day to register to vote or to change party affiliation for the primary is Wednesday, April 10. Enrolled voters may only vote in their party primary; unenrolled voters may select a primary to vote in without changing their status.
The special election is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25. The last day to register to vote in the election is Wednesday, June 5.
To register to vote, one must be at least age 18 by the date of the election, a U.S. citizen and a resident of the municipality in which you are voting.
