NEW: Patrick To Appoint Mo Cowan As Interim Senator

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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

GoLocalWorcester Politics Team

Governor Deval Patrick will announce the appointment of his former chief of staff William "Mo" Cowan as the interim senator to take newly-minted Secretary of State John Kerry's seat until a special election can be held later this year, according to reports from several Boston news agencies.

Patrick released a statement confirming the appointment this morning.

"I am proud and delighted to appoint Mo Cowan as interim U.S. Senator from Massachusetts," said Governor Patrick. “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.”

“Mo has been a tremendous asset to the Commonwealth, and we are more than confidant he will continue to serve the people well as interim U.S. Senator,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray.

The Governor is scheduled to make a formal announcement during a press conference at 11:00 a.m. today.

Cowan left his post as Patrick's chief of staff last November.

Patrick has been tight-lipped about who he would appoint to the interim post, despite former Congressman Barney Frank's very public plea for the seat.

The Senate special election will be held on June 25th, and Democratic Congressman Edward Markey is the only candidate to formally declare his intentions to run for Kerry's seat, though an announcement is expected from U.S. Representative Stephen Lynch on Thursday as well.