Massachusetts Senate Approves Bill to Expedite a Successor to Edward Kennedy

ABBY GOODNOUGH and CARL HULSE The New York Times 09/22/2009 22:40

Michael S. Dukakis, left, was said to be out of the running for Edward M. Kennedy’s Senate seat, while Paul G. Kirk Jr., right, a former aide to Mr. Kennedy, was said to be a likely choice.

BOSTON —Fulfilling one of Edward M. Kennedy’s dying wishes, the Massachusetts State Senate approved a bill on Tuesday allowing a temporary replacement for the late senator.

The measure was pushed through by the Democratic leadership in an effort to deliver what might be a crucial vote when health care overhaul legislation comes before Congress this fall. Mr. Kennedy had made health reform one of his lifetime priorities.

The vote in the State Senate, 24 to 16, means that Gov. Deval Patrick could appoint an interim senator within days.

In Washington, aides said that Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the majority leader, pumped his fist after a note about the Massachusetts vote was passed to him in his conference room.

Mr. Patrick, a Democrat who is close to President Obama, has refused to discuss potential appointees, but senior Democrats in Washington said Tuesday that Paul G. Kirk Jr., a former aide to Mr. Kennedy and chairman of the Democratic National Committee, was a likely choice.

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