Cowan sworn in as interim Massachusetts senator

Mo Cowan, former chief of staff to Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick (D), was sworn in to the Senate on Thursday afternoon as interim senator for Massachusetts, filling the seat left open by John Kerry's departure to become secretary of State.

Cowan, flanked by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) Kerry, was sworn in by Vice President Biden. He is now the Senate's second black senator, and the only black Democratic senator.

He will serve until a special election to replace Kerry occurs in June. Democrats are likely to retain the seat, as Massachusetts Republicans have been unable to front a strong challenger since former Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) decided against a run.

Reps. Edward Markey and Stephen Lynch have both announced their intentions to pursue the Democratic nomination for the seat, and face a primary on April 30.

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