William "Mo" Cowan, left, smiles as he is introduced by Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick during a news conference where he was named interim U.S. Senator for the seat vacated by U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., at the Statehouse in Boston, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013. Kerry was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday to be the nation's next secretary of state. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Wednesday January 30, 2013

BOSTON (AP) -- Former U.S. Rep. Barney Frank -- who had publicly expressed interest in being the state's interim U.S. senator -- is among those praising Gov. Deval Patrick's selection of William "Mo" Cowan for the post.

In a statement, Frank said Cowan was committed to working in a "socially-fair and economically-efficient" way to help resolve the nation's budget problems.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren said Wednesday that Cowan brings a deep knowledge of the issues affecting Massachusetts and that she looks forward to working closely with him in the Senate.

U.S. Rep. Edward Markey, who plans to run in the June 25 special election for the Senate, said he was confident Cowan would stand up for the values of Massachusetts voters in the tradition of Sen. John Kerry.

Kerry leaves office on Friday to become secretary of state.

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