UPDATED 12:50 PM EST, January 30, 2013
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has tapped his former chief-of-staff William "Mo" Cowan to serve as interim U.S. senator until a special election to fill the seat left vacant by Secretary of State-designate John Kerry.
Patrick says Cowan's role in helping turn around the Massachusetts economy in recent years "has earned him the respect and admiration of people throughout government." He says the state will benefit from Cowan's wisdom and good judgment.
Cowan, a North Carolina native, says he is "honored and humbled" by the appointment.
