Mass. Dems fighting to deny Romney from replacing Sen. Kerry.

[onehandle]

Local scramble: Kerry seat may set off Beacon Hill melee

BOSTON -- John Kerry isn't the only Massachusetts politician hoping for a promotion after the November elections.

If Kerry succeeds in ousting President Bush, his open U.S. Senate seat would instantly become one of the most coveted political posts in Massachusetts since Kerry won the office two decades ago.

While there is no shortage of would-be successors, the mad scramble to fill the seat hinges on a second big "if" -- if Democrats on Beacon Hill can rally enough lawmakers to support a change in state law that would deny Gov. Mitt Romney the chance to name a replacement for Kerry by mandating a special election instead.

That fight begins in earnest next week when members of the Election Laws Committee hold a public hearing on the bill.

Backers of the legislation, including both House and Senate chairmen of the committee, say the switch from gubernatorial appointment to special election is long overdue.

snip...

....backers of the change say Romney is swimming against a national tide. As recently as this week Alaska joined a handful of states who have rejected gubernatorial appointments in favor of special election.

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Arguing against an election is a tough sell for Romney who had argued vigorously for letting voters have their say when the issue was gay marriage, said Sen. Brian Joyce, D-Milton, Senate chairman of the committee.

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=70541

[Massacure]

1. How long does Kerry's senate seat last for?

If Kerry wins, the next person won't get a full six year term.

[ibegurpard]

2. won't matter

incumbency is a tough hurdle to overcome. And anyone who thinks that Massachussetts wouldn't elect a Republican to statewide office only needs to look at their governorship.
they better find a way to make this happen.

[onehandle]

3. Four years. Kerry was elected to a Statewide election in 2002.

And according the article, there's a good lineup for the Democratic ticket.