Victoria Reggie Kennedy is urged as appointee to represent Massachusetts

Political Notebook

Kennedy widow is urged as appointee

August 31, 2009

The widow of Senator Edward M. Kennedy should be considered as an interim appointee to represent Massachusetts in his place, two US senators said yesterday.

Senators Orrin G. Hatch, Republican of Utah, and Chris Dodd, Democrat of Connecticut, said on CNN’s “State of the Union’’ that they could support Kennedy’s widow, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, as an interim senator if Massachusetts lawmakers allow a temporary appointment before a special election.

“Vicki ought to be considered,’’ Hatch said. “She’s a very brilliant lawyer. She’s a very solid individual. I have nothing but great respect for her.’’

Massachusetts law requires a special election be held within five months to fill a seat that comes open before the end of a term. The issue has taken on urgency for Democrats in Congress, who are struggling to pass health care legislation before the end of the year.

Kennedy has said she is reluctant to serve, but she may change her mind after talking with her children and others, Dodd said.