At least the state GOP tried to stop Gov. Patrick's power grab...

Suffolk Superior Court judge rejected a request by the state Republican Party to block the appointment of Paul G. Kirk Jr. as interim US senator, clearing the way for the Democrat to take the oath of office in Washington yesterday.

Judge Thomas Connolly ruled that the Republicans’ claim was legally inadequate, noting in his four-page decision that “the Party does not cite any case law in support of its argument.’’

The GOP had maintained that Governor Deval Patrick, a Democrat, overstepped his authority by declaring an emergency so Kirk’s appointment could be made immediately.

Connolly ruled, however, that the state constitution clearly gave the governor the power to call for the immediate implementation of a law by sending the secretary of state a letter.

In his ruling, Connolly described the Republicans as “the Party.’’

“This court finds that the Party has not shown that it has a chance to succeed on the merits and therefore, any risk of harm to the Party will not outweigh the risk of harm to the Governor and the Commonwealth,’’ Connolly wrote after deliberating for more than four hours.

UPDATE: More from the Globe, Holly Robichaud and Herald.

SECOND UPDATE: More from Howie Carr and Joan Vennochi.