Senate replacement named for Ted Kennedy

Sep 24, 2009, 17:38 GMT

Washington - A replacement has been named to take over the Senate seat of Democrat Ted Kennedy, giving Barack Obama's ruling party a crucial 60th seat in the 100 seat body.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick named former head of the Democratic National Committee Paul G Kirk to fill Kennedy's shoes on Thursday.

Kennedy died last month after losing a battle with brain cancer. He had urged lawmakers in his home state to change state policy and appoint a replacement for him, rather than wait for the special election, so that Democrats could secure a crucial vote in the ongoing health care reform debate, of which Kennedy was a major proponent.

Kirk, 71, will serve until a permanent replacement is chosen by voters in a special election on January 19. Kirk, who was a longtime senior aide to Kennedy, would not take part in that election, Patrick said in announcing the decision.

'He shares the sense of service that so distinguished Senator Kennedy,' Patrick said at a news conference in Boston. 'The interests of the commonwealth have never been more vital or at stake in the Congress today.'

The move was welcomed by the White House, where Obama called Kirk a 'distinguished leader, whose long collaboration with Senator Kennedy makes him an excellent, interim choice.'

Kirk will begin serving immediately. He said the appointment was a 'profound honour' that he accepted with 'deep humility.'