BOSTON — Paul G. Kirk Jr. served Edward M. Kennedy as an aide, rooted beside him at Harvard-Yale football games and is the executor of his will. Now, as Kennedy’s interim replacement in the Senate, he is charged with trying to complete his late friend’s legacy by passing health care reform.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick tapped the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee on Thursday to hold Kennedy’s seat until a special election Jan. 19. Kirk, 71, said he would not run for the post.
The announcement came after the Democratic-dominated legislature changed the state’s Senate succession law to restore the governor’s power to appoint an interim replacement. Republicans went to court in a last-ditch effort to stop Kirk from being sworn in.
President Barack Obama said in a statement: “Paul Kirk is a distinguished leader whose long collaboration with Sen. Kennedy makes him an excellent, interim choice to carry on his work until the voters make their choice in January.”
Kennedy’s widow and sons had encouraged Patrick to appoint Kirk. Vicki Kennedy and Edward Kennedy Jr. sat in the front row next to Kirk’s wife, Gail, as the governor made his statehouse announcement.
Besides health care, Patrick said Kirk would represent the state’s interests in upcoming debates on economic recovery, financial regulation and climate change.
Kirk, who has never held elective office, recalled how his friend — who died last month of brain cancer — used to say representing Massachusetts in the Senate “was the highest honor he possibly could have imagined.”
“It’s certainly nothing I imagined, but it would be my highest honor as well,” Kirk said.
He is to be sworn in this afternoon by Vice President Joe Biden.
