Mass. Senate primary campaign enters final week

BOSTON -- Debates, media interviews and a calculated targeting of likely voters will be the hallmarks of the final week in the primary campaign to replace the late Sen. Edward Kennedy.

The four Democrats and two Republicans battling to succeed the liberal lion face off in Dec. 8 primaries. The victors will go head-to-head in the Jan. 19 special election.

But given the Democratic tilt of Massachusetts -- and Kennedy's stature as a party icon -- the victor could well emerge from the Democratic field: Attorney General Martha Coakley, Rep. Michael Capuano, City Year co-founder Alan Khazei and Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca.

State Sen. Scott Brown of Wrentham and Duxbury attorney Jack E. Robinson are competing for the Republican nomination.

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