Cowan, William (1969-…), served as a United States senator in 2013. Cowan, a Democrat, represented Massachusetts. In January 2013, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick named Cowan to fill the Senate seat of John F. Kerry. Kerry had resigned upon his confirmation as U.S. secretary of state.
William Maurice Cowan was born in Yadkinville, North Carolina, on April 4, 1969. He took the nickname “Mo” from his middle name. In 1991, Cowan graduated from Duke University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. He then attended the Northeastern University School of Law in Boston. He earned a degree from the school in 1994.
After receiving his law degree, Cowan worked as a lawyer in private practice. From 1997 to 2009, he practiced law at a prominent Boston law firm. In 2009, he joined Governor Patrick’s staff as chief legal counsel. He became the governor’s chief of staff in 2011.
In January 2013, Senator Kerry was confirmed to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state. Cowan filled Kerry’s Senate seat until a special election was held in June 2013. Democratic U.S. Representative Ed Markey won the election to serve out the remainder of Kerry’s Senate term.
