By Cate Lecuyer
Local lawmakers don't agree on how to replace Sen. Ted Kennedy, but they do agree the issue is politically charged.
"It is, in my opinion, politics at its worst," said Rep. Brad Hill, R-Ipswich.
As the country mourned the passing of one of America's most influential political voices, some legislators, including state Rep. Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, chose not to comment on the issue.
"While I appreciate this is a matter of national concern," she said, "out of respect I would prefer to wait until Sen. Kennedy is laid to rest to take up the issue of his replacement."
Legislators are considering whether to fulfill the late senator's request to change the law to temporarily appoint someone to fill his seat, or to leave it vacant until a special election in January.
Hill said it would be unfair to "change the rules in the middle of the game."
"Let's be honest," he said. "This all comes down to the health care bill, and they want to ensure they have someone in place to vote in favor of it."
Rep. Ted Speliotis, D-Danvers, said it's not about changing a law to benefit any political party, but rather a way to carry out an essential bill that Kennedy was passionate about during his 47 years in office. How ironic, he said, if the passing of one of the strongest advocates for universal health care would halt the legislation.
"That's an injustice," he said.
Gov. Deval Patrick has embraced Kennedy's plea for a temporary replacement — which was based on the notion that Massachusetts needs two senators to make decisions on upcoming legislation.
A temporary government appointment was how it was always done up until 2004, when the state's junior senator, John Kerry, was running for president. Rather than allow a Republican governor, Mitt Romney, to appoint a replacement should Kerry win, the Democratic Legislature changed the law to require a special election in 145 to 160 days.
"I would have to have a really compelling reason to change it back again," said Rep. Joyce Spiliotis, D-Peabody.
Hill said it would be "deplorable" to reverse that decision, which he said would benefit Democrats.
"The Republicans put this forth five years ago so we would never have to miss a beat with representation, and we were shot down," he said.
On Beacon Hill, the general attitude about an appointment is "very fluid," Speliotis said.
"One day people think it's a good idea, the next day they say not to do it," he said. "People haven't really grasped everything, and we need a little time to think about it."
Staff writer Cate Lecuyer can be reached at clecuyer@salemnews.com.
