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Patrick: No Plans To Change Senate Succession Law

Gov. Deval Patrick says it's too soon say whether he'd require anyone he appoints to a Senate seat on an interim basis to agree not to run to fill the seat permanently.

Patrick made the comment in response to questions about speculation that U.S. Sen. John Kerry could be appointed to a federal post by President Obama.

That could pave the way for yet another special Senate election.

After Sen. Edward Kennedy died in 2009, Patrick named Paul Kirk to fill the seat until a special election could be held. Kirk pledged not run in that election, which was won by Sen. Scott Brown.

Patrick said he would prefer a system where he could appoint someone to serve until the next statewide election in 2014, but said there's no appetite to change the law.

This program aired on November 13, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.

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