Is the senate a peerage?

NY Daily News reported Ted Kennedy has made clear to confidants that when his time is up, he wants his Senate seat to stay in the family - with his wife, Vicki.

In Great Britain their House of Lords many of their members continue to sit in the Upper House by virtue of hereditary peerages, but even that is changing. Since when does Ted Kennedy think he can pass on his senate seat in his will. Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution provides if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies. And then the selection is made by the people of Massachusetts. Originally the constitution provided , but 17th amendment provided that senators would be directly elected by the people.

Multiple sources in Massachusetts with close ties to the liberal lion say his wife of 16 years has long been his choice to continue carrying the family flame in the Senate. Kennedy won the seat in 1962; his brother John held it from 1953 to 1960.