January 19th, 2010
11:00 PM ET
Comments (4 comments)
11 years ago

Kirk: It has been my honor to represent Massachusetts

Washington (CNN) – Senator Paul G. Kirk, Jr. released the following statement Tuesday night:

“It has been my honor to represent the people of Massachusetts during these past few months, and I respect their choice in this special election. I offered my sincere congratulations to Scott Brown and his family by phone just a few moments ago. I wish him well and will work to ensure a smooth transition.”
Filed under: Massachusetts • Paul Kirk • Scott Brown • Senate
September 25th, 2009
01:55 PM ET
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11 years ago

Kirk arrives on Capitol Hill

(CNN) - Soon to be Massachusetts Sen. Paul Kirk arrived on Capitol Hill Friday to cheers from staffers and friends of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.

As he entered Kennedy's office, an emotional Kirk told CNN it was "exciting and sobering" to take the place of his longtime friend in the Senate.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick appointed Kirk to the post Thursday. He will serve in the Senate until a special election is held in January to fill the seat.

Kirk is will be sworn in later Friday.
Filed under: Paul Kirk
September 25th, 2009
01:55 PM ET
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11 years ago

MA judge denies GOP request to delay Kirk appointment

Posted by

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/25/art.kirk.0925.gi.jpg caption="Kirk was appointed to the post Thursday, after the Massachusetts legislature approved a measure allowing for Gov. Deval Patrick to name an interim replacement until a special election is held in January.'"]

(CNN) - A Massachusetts judge Friday rejected a request from state Republicans to delay the appointment of Paul Kirk as the late Sen. Ted Kennedy's interim replacement.

Kirk was formally appointed to the post Thursday, a day after the Massachusetts legislature approved a measure allowing for Gov. Deval Patrick to name an interim replacement until a special election is held in January.

But the legislation was not set take effect until 90 days, and Republicans argued Patrick exceeded his power by formally declaring an 'emergency' and appointing Kirk immediately. Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General Peter Sacks argued on behalf of the governor, saying previous rulings have made clear Patrick has broad authority to declare an emergency as he see fits.

Judge Thomas Connolly dismissed the case after hearing arguments from both sides Friday morning.

Kirk will be sworn in by Vice President Joe Biden Friday afternoon.
Filed under: Paul Kirk • Ted Kennedy
September 24th, 2009
12:01 PM ET
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11 years ago

GOP slams Kirk appointment

Posted by

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/24/art.deval.cnn.jpg caption="The NRSC criticized Paul Kirk's appointment to the Senate."](CNN) - National Republicans Thursday were quick to criticize the appointment of Paul Kirk to fill the vacant Senate seat in Massachusetts until a special election is held in January.

“The Democrats’ power play in Massachusetts has nothing to do with principle, and everything to do with politics," Rob Jesmer, Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee said in a statement. "With their unpopular government-run health care bill on the brink of failure, Democrats in Washington desperately need another vote in the U.S. Senate, and it is clear that this Administration will stop at nothing to ram it through the Congress."

Full statement after the jump:

FULL POST
Filed under: Paul Kirk
September 23rd, 2009
11:12 AM ET
Comments (21 comments)
11 years ago

Kirk is Kennedy family favorite to fill Mass. Senate seat

(CNN) - Two Kennedy family associates tell CNN's John King that Paul Kirk, longtime senior aide to the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, is the family's favorite to fill his vacant Senate seat - and that the late senator's sons have relayed this view to Gov. Deval Patrick.

Asked if Patrick is on board, one of these sources said "it is 75 percent there."

On Tuesday, the Massachusetts Senate passed a bill that would allow Patrick to appoint a temporary replacement for Kennedy until an election can be held to fill the seat in January. That measure is now up for final consideration by both chambers of the legislature.

Update: One source tells CNN's Gloria Borger that Vicki Kennedy, Ted Kennedy's widow, also favors the appointment of Paul Kirk to fill her late husband's vacant Senate seat.
Filed under: Paul Kirk • Ted Kennedy