Hearing Date Set for Possible Kennedy Replacement

Lawmakers will decide whether or not to appoint interim replacement Sept. 9

A public hearing will be held Sept. 9 in Massachusetts to decide whether or not state law should be changed to allow Gov. Deval Patrick to name an interim replacement for the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, the governor said Monday.

The Sept. 9 public hearing will determine whether or not Kennedy's seat will be filled until a special election is held to find Kennedy's successor. Gov. Patrick threw his support behind appointing an interim successor during his Monday speech, saying he'd work to ensure that the temporary replacement wouldn't contend for hte permanent seat.

Gov. Patrick said the special election will be held Jan. 19 and the primary will be held Dec. 8. Under state law, the election must be held within 145-160 days of Kennedy's death.

Attorney General Martha Coakley and Kennedy's nephew and former Rep. Joseph Kennedy, as well as several high-profile members of the state delegation, could contend for the seat. Kennedy's replacement's term will end in 2012.

Read more: Boston Globe, MSNBC

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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