Gov. Deval Patrick’s former chief of staff was appointed today as the state’s interim senator.
William “Mo” Cowan, a Northeastern University Law School graduate, takes the place of John Kerry who was confirmed this week as the new Secretary of State.
“I will go to work everyday with the needs and aspirations of the state’s … residents foremost on my mind,” Cowan said. “I now go to our nation’s capital ever mindful of what matters to the people of Massachusetts.”
During this morning’s State House announcement of his pick, Patrick called Cowan a “trusted adviser.”
“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.
According to state officials, Cowan practiced civil litigation as an associate and later a partner in the Boston office of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, PC from 1997 until 2009. He also worked as a special assistant district attorney in the office of the Middlesex County District Attorney.
Cowan served in Patrick’s administration since 2009 and was clearly popular with many officials.
“And lastly, he’s cool. Tom Brady, George Clooney, James Bond, the president have nothing on Mo,” Lt. Governor Tim Murray said.
Cowan is a graduate of Duke University and Northeastern University School of Law, and lives in Stoughton, Massachusetts with his wife, Stacy, and their two young sons, according to state officials.
A special election will be held June 25. US Rep. Ed Markey has already announced his intent to run. Fellow US Rep. Steve Lynch is also expected to jump into the race, according to the Globe. Former Sen. Scott Brown has not publicly announced whether he will run, but polls have showed he would beat Markey, according to the Globe.
