Kennedy widow out of replacement race

(By Ed Morrissey, Hot Air) - Vicki Kennedy, the widow of the late Ted Kennedy, reaffirmed yesterday that she has no interest in replacing her husband in the Senate. Paul Kane reports that Mrs. Kennedy will not pursue either an appointment as a temporary replacement, nor run in the special election. Gov. Deval Patrick has set the election date for January 19th and the primaries for December 8th, but he wants the legislature to let him pick a chairwarmer now:

Massachusetts Gov. Deval L. Patrick (D) has set Jan. 19 as the date for a special election to fill the final three years of Edward M. Kennedy’s Senate term. Patrick also pleaded Monday for the state legislature to allow him to appoint a replacement for Kennedy who would serve until that election.

With speculation swirling around the Kennedy family’s interest in keeping the seat in the family’s hands, Patrick said that the senator’s widow, Vicki Kennedy, has told him she is not interested in the interim appointment.

A close family friend, who requested anonymity to speak freely about internal Kennedy issues, reaffirmed that position Monday afternoon, adding that nor will Vicki Kennedy run in the special election.

“She’s not interested, and that’s not going to change,” the friend said.