Kerry's Senate successor a hot issue in Massachusetts

By Steve LeBlanc
The Associated Press

John Kerry's Senate seat opens if he wins in fall.

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The bill would require a special election within 160 days after a vacancy is created. The winner would serve the remainder of Kerry's term, which ends in 2008.

The issue has national implications in the narrowly divided U.S. Senate, with Republicans eager to pick up one of Massachusetts' two Senate seats and Democrats eager to hold on.

The House version of the bill, approved yesterday by voice vote, goes back to the Senate for a final vote and then to Romney, who is likely to either veto the measure or send it back with amendments. The bill previously cleared both houses by veto-proof majorities.

Romney has said a "shotgun" election would favor candidates with political organizations and deep pockets. He says he's not opposed to a special election, but should be allowed to appoint a replacement during the interim to ensure the state has full Senate representation.

Romney last week called on Kerry to resign from the Senate, saying he has missed key votes.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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