Markey Takes Oath To Become Member Of U.S. Senate

Updated July 16, 2013

The Associated Press

Sen. Edward Markey raises his hand to repeat the oath for Vice President Joe Biden in the Old Senate Chamber Tuesday, following his official ceremony earlier in the Senate Chamber. He is joined by his wife, Dr. Susan J. Blumenthal, center. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Massachusetts Democrat Edward Markey on Tuesday became the newest member of the Senate, taking the oath of office after serving 37 years on the other side of the Capitol in the House.

Markey, 67, takes the seat that John Kerry won in 1984 and held until he resigned earlier this year to become secretary of state.

Last month Markey defeated Gabriel Gomez, a 47-year-old businessman and former Navy SEAL, in a special election. He will fill out the rest of Kerry's term, which expires in January 2015, meaning he would have to run again in November next year for a full six-year term.

Markey, the son of a milkman, was first elected to the House in 1976 at age 30. He has risen to become one of the Democrats' leading voices on energy and communications issues, and ranked eighth in seniority in the House when he stepped down.

As a freshman member of the Senate, he becomes the junior senator from Massachusetts, behind fellow Democrat Elizabeth Warren, who last November won a close race over Republican Sen. Scott Brown. Markey, backed by visits from President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and former President Clinton in the final weeks of the campaign, cruised to a 55-45 win.

William "Mo" Cowan, former chief of staff to Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, served as interim senator after Kerry's departure. The Senate lineup remains at 54 on the Democratic side, including two independents, and 46 Republicans.

Biden delivered the oath to Markey, who was flanked by Warren and Cowan.

On hand for the swearing in were House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Patrick and Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.

This article was originally published on July 16, 2013.

This program aired on July 16, 2013. The audio for this program is not available.