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MA Gov. Deval Patrick Appoints Former Chief of Staff to Fill John Kerry’s Senate Seat

Posted: January 30, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: just because, U.S. Politics | Tags: , , , , |14 Comments
William "Mo" Cowan

William “Mo” Cowan

From The Hill:

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) has appointed William “Mo” Cowen, his former chief of staff, to fill former Sen. John Kerry’s (D) seat until a special election is held this summer….

“Mo’s service on the front lines in our efforts to manage through the worst economy in 80 years and build a better, stronger Commonwealth for the next generation has earned him the respect and admiration of people throughout government,” Patrick said in a statement announcing the appointment.
Former Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) had also pursued the seat, but his outspoken interest might have undermined his chances of winning the appointment.

Patrick will make the official announcement at 11AM this morning.

Some background on Cowan from The Boston Globe:

Cowan, 43, was first hired by Patrick as his legal counsel in 2009 and was then promoted to chief of staff in 2010. Last November, Cowan stepped down from the $144,000 a year job.

Cowan is a North Carolina native and Duke University graduate who came to Boston to attend Northeastern University Law School in the early 1990s – and never left the region. One of the city’s leading African-American lawyers, Cowan is a former partner in the politically connected law firm of Mintz Levin.

Cowan will become the first African-American to represent Massachusetts in the Senate since Edward Brooke held the seat as a Republican from 1966 to 1978….

Cowan’s selection was quickly praised by Martin W. Healy, chief legal counsel for the Massachusetts Bar

Patrick and Cowan built up a strong friendship over the years, in part, because both men have risen from difficult childhoods to prominence in Boston and in the state. Patrick also served as a mentor to Cowan when both were practicing lawyers.

Much more at the link.

14 Comments on “MA Gov. Deval Patrick Appoints Former Chief of Staff to Fill John Kerry’s Senate Seat”

  1. RalphB's avatar RalphB says:
    January 30, 2013 at 10:01 am

    Barney Frank would have made a great TV spokesman for the Senate Dems. Hope this guy isn’t a silent cipher.

  2. RalphB's avatar RalphB says:
    January 30, 2013 at 10:55 am

    Pressing Issues: Girl Who Performed for Obama’s Inaugural Slain in Chicago

    This should be the story of the day and, as some have suggested, the President ought to return to his home city and speak at her funeral, keeping the issue of gun violence on the front burner. Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old sophomore at King College Prep in Chicago was shot and killed near the school at 2:30 in the afternoon and a boy seriously wounded. She had performed at inaugural events last week in D.C. with the King College Prep band and drill team. “Friends said the girl was a majorette and a volleyball player, a friendly and sweet presence at King, one of the top 10 CPS selective enrollment schools.”

    And in case you missed yesterday’s story about Seattle police witnessing one civilian sell a surface-to-air missile launcher to another fine fellow.

    I have no words. Shame.

    • bostonboomer's avatar bostonboomer says:
      January 30, 2013 at 11:15 am

      Thanks. I saw that on Twitter awhile ago. While Congress fiddles, children die.

      • Fannie's avatar Fannie says:
        January 30, 2013 at 5:19 pm

        You know BB if this were the private sector, those in congress would be fired for lack of productivity……….I mean for doing nothing for the people of this country.

      • bostonboomer's avatar bostonboomer says:
        January 30, 2013 at 6:33 pm

        Some of those old guys like Leahy and Grassley should have to retire. Maybe we need mandatory retirement for Congress.

  3. bostonboomer's avatar bostonboomer says:
    January 30, 2013 at 11:22 am

    Another gun violence incident today.

    Man in Alabama shot a school bus driver and grabbed a 6 -year-old boy who is reportedly autistic. The man is holding the boy hostage in a bunker.

    http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/01/man_suspected_of_shooting_alab.html

    http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/Alabama-School-Bus-Shooting–189004681.html

  4. Ann's avatar Ann says:
    January 30, 2013 at 1:56 pm

    I’m sure he is a fine person however this smells of good old boy reward system. Let my friend hang out an pretend to be a Senator. It’s only for a little while, no harm no foul. It is hard to imagine that it is more advisable to send in a rookie with no experience that to have appointed an experienced legislator with a proven track record and that has been given approval of the Mass. oters countless times already. I really don’t think he was worried about the people or the state as much as his was his own ego. Probably had his mind made up a long time ago. Still seems like macho you can’t tell me what to do combined with the reward a friend thing. Not very attractive.

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