Kennedy's replacement stirs controversy

BOSTON (WWLP) - Sen. Ted Kennedy battled hard on the Senate floor for decades and before his death he made a move to try and have Governor Patrick name his successor to secure a vote in favor of health care reform.

The move was met with much controversy - since Kennedy voted in 2004 to change the succession law to its current standing.

Secretary of State William Galvin told 22News state law requires a special election be held to fill the vacant Senate seat within 145 to160 days.

"That's what the law is and we expect to carry out the law no matter what the cause of the vacancy is,” Sec. Galvin told 22News.

The Senator's seat was effectively vacated Tuesday night upon his death. However, hours later, Governor Deval Patrick told 22News he hopes to grant Teddy's dying wish and change state law to appoint an interim replacement before a special election is held.

"I think that was an imminently reasonable request, particularly given the time of momentous change that's before Congress right now. Massachusetts needs two voices in the United States Senate,” Governor Patrick said.

Springfield Political Consultant Tony Cignoli told 22News Senate President Teresa Murray and Attorney General Martha Coakley also support changing the state's election law.

The political maneuvering comes amid a fiery debate on health care - something the senator called “the cause of my life.” Without a democratic vote, the overhaul could go down in flames.

However, any change in state law is not likely to happen immediately. State lawmakers are not expected to return to formal sessions until after Labor Day.