Aug 31, 2009 8:29 am US/Eastern
Keller: Race For Kennedy Seat 'Fascinating'
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Sen.Ted Kennedy responds to the crowd after speaking to delegates at the Democratic National Convention on July 27, 2004 in Boston.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
A special election will likely be held this winter to determine who finishes Sen. Ted Kennedy's last term until 2012.
"This could be the single most fascinating political race we've had here in a generation or more, says
WBZ political analyst Jon Keller.
The list of possible candidates is long with some waiting to see if any Kennedys jump in the race, including Kennedy's widow, Vicki.
"She could make perhaps the most compelling argument of all that if its short term interests of Massachusetts that we're worried about with the loss of Ted Kennedy's clout, she's probably the single most person qualified to mitigate that loss," says Keller.
Others expected to make a run for the seat: Former Congressman Joe Kennedy, Congressman Steve Lynch, Congressman Barney Frank of Newton, Congressman Ed Markey, dean of the House delegation, Attorney General Martha Coakley and Marty Meehan, former Congressman from Lowell now chancellor of UMass Lowell.
"Anybody could jump in, no elected officer would have to give up their seat to run because of the timing of this election," says Keller.
The race won't officially begin until Governor Patrick sets a date for the special election.
State law says it must be held about five months after the seat is vacated, which in this case would mean January.
What do you think about the race?
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