Progressive group calls for Massachusetts governor to appoint Frank as interim senator

By Alexandra Jaffe - 01/09/13 05:56 PM ET

A progressive group that was heavily engaged in Sen. Elizabeth Warren's (D-Mass.) 2012 campaign is urging Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D-Mass.) to back former Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) as interim senator.

"As Elizabeth Warren opposes any cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits, we can't afford to have our other senator be lukewarm, undecided, or uncertain. We need someone who we are 100% confident will fight right alongside her. Barney Frank is that person. Please appoint him as our interim senator," reads a petition circulated by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.

The PCCC played a large role in Warren's Senate bid, raising $1 million and organizing for her.

It's no surprise, then, that they've come out in support of Frank; he is both a similarly outspoken liberal firebrand, and favored by Warren herself. She said during a mock swearing-in ceremony in Massachusetts last weekend that she considered Frank an "excellent" pick for interim senator.

Frank has made it known that he would like to be appointed to fill Sen. John Kerry's (D-Mass.) seat if Kerry is confirmed as secretary of State, as is expected. The former lawmaker said last week that he had called Patrick to express interest in the seat.

Patrick has not indicated a preference for an appointee to the seat, saying only during a Friday press conference that “I have a lot of factors I’m considering and [Frank is] definitely on the list.”

The governor has, however, made clear that he'd like to appoint a caretaker, someone who would not run in a special election, and Frank has said multiple times he's not interested in running.

The PCCC sent out the petition in an email to the group's 25,000 members in Massachusetts. At the bottom of the email, it includes a line asking supporters to chip in to Rep. Edward Markey's (D-Mass.) campaign as well, who has been backed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for the special election to replace Kerry.