The Vice President elect was also re-elected in November to the Senate seat he has held since 1972. From the Washington Post-
Ted Kaufman, a longtime aide to Joe Biden, will be appointed by Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner to fill the vacancy created by the vice president-elect once he resigns from the Senate.Nothing stops Kaufman from running in 2010, though Democratic power brokers in Delaware may attempt to dissuade him.Kaufman is currently one of the co-chairs of Biden's transition team and is the Delaware senator's closest -- and longest-serving -- adviser. He worked with Biden in the Senate from 1973 to 1994, spending nearly two of those decades as chief of staff.
"There is no one who knows more about how the United States Senate works and no one who is more ready to do this job for Delaware than Ted Kaufman," said Biden in a statement on the Kaufman pick. "Over the years, he has earned the respect of those who have served, like Senator Bill Bradley of New Jersey and of those who are still there, like Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut. He will make a great partner with Senator Tom Carper."
Kaufman is widely seen as a caretaker pick -- almost certain to serve for two years and then make way for Biden's son, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, to be the Democratic nominee when a special election is held in 2010 for the remaining four years of Joe Biden's term. (Beau Biden is currently on a year-long stint with the Delaware National Guard in Iraq).
Hat tip- Doug at Below the Beltway
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