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America's Leading Gay News Source
Frank passed over as interim U.S. senator
Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) was passed over for the role of interim U.S. senator (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
The governor of Massachusetts on Wednesday announced his choice for the interim replacement for outgoing Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) — and it’s not the gay former U.S. House member who was publicly lobbying for the position.
Gov. Deval Patrick selected William “Mo” Cowan, his former chief of staff, to fill the open seat vacated by Kerry, whom the Senate confirmed this week as the next secretary of state by a vote of 94-3. Patrick also announced the special election to fill the slot permanently will be held on June 25.
“Mo’s service on the front lines in our efforts to manage through the worst economy in 80 years and build a better, stronger Commonwealth for the next generation has earned him the respect and admiration of people throughout government,” Patrick said in a statement.
After his retirement from Congress following 32 years as a U.S. House member, Frank was public about his interest in the position as interim U.S. senator, telling the Boston Globe he believes his experience on finance would be beneficial as Congress takes on budget issues.
Had he been appointed, Frank would have been the second openly gay person to serve in the U.S. Senate after Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), who was sworn in earlier this month.
Tagged with Barney Frank, Deval Patrick, Homepage Headlines, William "Mo" Cowan
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Sorry to see that Barney didn’t get the seat but maybe appearing in Fiorello and other activities will keep him happily occupied. He deserves to have some fun after all the work he has done over so many years.
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