Kerry Successors in the Wings

[kskiska]

Politicians Line Up for Seat if Senator Defeats Bush

BOSTON -- In what would be one of this state's most competitive elections in a generation, a group of Democratic House members are preparing bids to replace John F. Kerry, should Massachusetts's junior senator be elected president.

Under state law, if Kerry wins the White House on Nov. 2, Gov. Mitt Romney (R) will appoint a successor to serve a roughly two-year term until the next general election. But state lawmakers have submitted a bill that would require a special election to be held within a few months of a Kerry victory.

Among those likely to enter such a race are three members the Bay State's all-Democratic House delegation: Stephen Lynch, Edward J. Markey and Martin T. Meehan.

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Meehan, 47, leads the Massachusetts delegation in cash on hand, with almost $2.3 million. He is best known as one of the architects of recent campaign finance legislation. He has put his considerable fundraising prowess to work for Kerry, including hosting a fundraiser at his home. Meehan has told supporters that if a law calling for a special election is not passed, he is willing to give up his House seat to run for the Senate in 2006.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57793-2004Apr30.html