BostonGlobe.com Political Headlines - January 31, 2013

• William 'Mo' Cowan to be interim US senator: Governor Patrick selected William "Mo" Cowan, his former chief of staff, to serve until the successor to John F. Kerry is elected on June 25. Globe state house bureau chief Frank Phillips covers.

• Cowan's path to Senate began in small-town N.C.: Mo Cowan, Governor Deval Patrick's pick for interim senator, said his upbringing in a largely segregated tobacco town was essential to his rise. Globe state house reporter Michael Levenson profiles.

• New poll finds Markey, Brown in statistical dead heat in hypothetical Senate race: The Republican Brown would get 48 percent of the vote, while Markey, a Democrat, would get 45 percent of the vote. Globe metro reporter Martin Finucane explains.

• John Kerry parts with warning on gridlock: In a long and emotional speech in the Senate, Kerry warned that political gridlock threatens America's reputation abroad. Globe correspondent David Uberti reports.

• Hopefuls face fight to lead GOP: The state committee expects a bruising fight over its leadership, with the vote for chairman still too close to call between ousted senator Scott Brown and a conservative challenger. Globe politics reporter Stephanie Ebbert details.

• Immigration commission brings border states to table: The proposed Southwest border commission does nothing more than establish a direct line for communities most affected by federal policies. Globe columnist Juliette Kayyem elaborates.

• Mo Cowan isn't the best option: Mo Cowan is smart, accomplished, and likable, but he has never been involved, in a policy-making way, with the crucial concerns facing Washington. Globe columnist Scot Lehigh outlines.

• Menino, the king incumbent: With this week's State of the City address, the five-term mayor put another generation of Bostonians dreaming of taking his seat on hold. Globe columnist Joan Vennochi writes.