What will happen when Mitch McConnell transitions?

[FarPoint]

I sense Mitch will depart our planet very soon., maybe even this week...I am curious as to what the GOP is planning regarding his Senate Seat....I would like the Governor of Kentucky assign a replacement.....maybe he will chose himself for the seat?

anyways...I believe this event needs to be discussed in preparation.....

What say you DU?

[displacedvermoter]

1. Nothing terrible...

[Jerry2144]

2. By KY law the repugnant party recently passed

The governor must appoint one of the three candidates the party holding that seat nominated. But I’ve heard the KY Constitution says the governor has the power to appoint whoever he picks. If that is true, he should just tell the Repugnants to trump off and follow his constitution.

I am sure he has his lawyers and legal team looking into it

[lastlib]

4. That was changed in 2024. Governor no longer appoints replacement.

Gov has to call a special election. I don't know specific details on that process, would surmise it would normally coincide with a general election. But if vacancy occurs close to a general, it might be logistically impossible to hold it then, and a different time would be necessary.

[Buckeyeblue]

5. He has 80-150 days to call the election, so at this point nothing until December

[Jerry2144]

7. It's been 20 years since I lived there

The governor should hold the special election as late as possible, then. The US senate being down one R is better than nothing

[Buckeyeblue]

11. Yep. Especially since the seat is up for election in Nov

The winner if that election can take over in Jan. Honestly, I think all the secrecy around Mitch is so his aids continue to get paid. He should have stepped away when his health really started going down hill.

[karynnj]

16. However, there are nominees from both parties running in November

I assume that means that if there is no special election by December, there would be no need for one because McConnell's term would end before it could happen.

That would mean, KY would have just one vote for around half a year. One question is whether the winner in November could be sworn in right away. ( This has happened when someone opts not to run and is replaced by someone in their party, who after the election opts to retire early. It slightly helps with seniority especially if their is a big "class" for that party that year.)

[FarPoint]

8. I think this can be a power struggle issue....

The Ky Constitution was not formally amended to mandate party holding seat replaces politician....but the Govenor does this per Constitution....so, who will win this....Governor or the KY republican?

[lastlib]

3. Champagne corks will pop, fireworks, bladders will begin to fill......

in preparation for his post-burial reward.....turtles everywhere will rejoice that they are no longer insulted by his earthly presence.

Things like that........

I understand that KY law requires a special election for his seat. Don't know details.

[The Madcap]

6. Satan will gain yet another minion.

The evil is growing....

[Ars Longa]

9. He'll get to hang-out with:

Stalin, Hitler, Chairman Mao, Pol Pot et all........

[harumph]

10. My mind wanders to that flick about the Human Centipede.

Something like that but with a touch of Hieronymus Bosch and evil clowns.

[Conjuay]

12. "Transitions"?

You mean when he drops dead and returns to his place in Hell?

(damn, how I wish I could believe that stuff...)

[Wanderlust988]

13. If Mitch dies, Gov. Beshear will challenge the law in the KY Supreme Court and may actually win

The KY Supreme Court has been rolling back a lot of the GOP laws stripping Beshear of power. This is not Texas or Florida. Kentucky's Supreme Court is very moderate. Beshear wins a lot of cases there. I think there's a good shot we'll get a new Dem senator if Mitch croaks, that's why he's trying to stay alive.

[FarPoint]

14. I want this to happen....

could be a sign of our empowerment and going back to " normal".

[onenote]

15. Unfortunately, I wouldn't bet on Beshear winning if he challenges the law for filling Senate vacancy

His best argument is that Section 152 of the KY Constitution says that "Vacancies in all offices for the
State at large, or for districts larger than a county, shall be filled by appointment of the Governor." However, it is not clear that a US Senate office is covered by this. Indeed, under the US Constitution, vacancies in House districts must be filled by special election and if Section 152 is read to apply to federal as well as state offices, it conflicts with the US Constitution. I suspect a court will give the state constitution provision a narrow reading to avoid that conflict.