Patrick avoids backing would-be Kennedy successor

BOSTON -- Gov. Deval Patrick says he's staying out of the Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary based on advice he got from the man the candidates are trying to replace: the late Sen. Edward Kennedy.

The governor told listeners on WTKK-FM Wednesday that he has "a lot of friends" among a field that includes Attorney General Martha Coakley, U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca and City Year co-founder Alan Khazei.

When asked who he supports, Patrick reminds that "It's a secret ballot."

Patrick says he stayed out of Boston's contested mayoral race for the same reason.

He says Kennedy told him that "as much as possible, stay out of contested primaries."

Kennedy died Aug. 25 of brain cancer. Two Republicans are also vying to succeed him.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)