Patrick to support change to succession law

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) fired up the political chattering class Wednesday, telling a radio station he would approve a plan to appoint an interim successor to the late-Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) until a special election could be held.

“Massachusetts needs two voices,” Patrick said during an interview with WBUR-FM radio, which was later picked up by The Associated Press.

Currently, Massachusetts requires a special election to be held between 145 and 160 days after a Senate seat becomes vacant. The law was first enacted in 2004 by Democrats who wanted to prevent then-Gov. Mitt Romney (R) from appointing a successor to Sen. John Kerry (D), should he have won the presidential election.

Kennedy first pitched the idea in a letter to state lawmakers last week, failing to cull significant political support. Democrats, including Patrick, remained silent on the proposed revision, while Republicans excoriated Kennedy for using the succession rule to advance a partisan agenda.

Despite Patrick’s now-vocal support, it remains unclear whether the revision will clear the state legislature. Among other obstacles, the governor’s approval ratings have reached record lows, and some lawmakers seem fearful of extending the Kennedy dynasty, even if by proxy.

–Tony Romm