Interim U.S. Sen. Mo Cowan

Gov. Deval Patrick surprised many when he picked William "Mo" Cowan, one of his top aides, to serve as interim senator for Massachusetts after John Kerry took over as secretary of state.

Cowan grew up in North Carolina and graduated from Duke University and Northeastern University Law School. He was a partner in the Boston law firm Mintz Levin before going to work for Patrick in 2009.

After Patrick appointed him to the Senate, Cowan said that he'd be retiring from politics after the special Senate election on June 25 — so his would be about as short a political career as one could have.

So that means we better talk to him while we can.

William "Mo" Cowan, the interim U.S. senator from Massachusetts

Boston Globe: "U.S. Sen. William ‘‘Mo’’ Cowan is hosting a round-table discussion on what he says are the threats to small businesses posed by recent, across-the-board federal spending cuts."

LA Times: "The usually pin-drop-quiet Senate gallery erupted in applause Thursday after William “Mo” Cowan was sworn in as the newest senator from Massachusetts."