Kentucky lawmakers have officially passed a bill that removes the power of the state’s Democratic governor in the selection process for filling a U.S. Senate seat vacancy. This move specifically applies to the home state of Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who is 82 years old.
The legislation proposes a special election to fill any vacant Senate seat in the state of Kentucky. The winner of the special election would then serve for the duration of the remaining term.
Republican Senate President Robert Stivers presented the bill to his colleagues, emphasizing that it would give the people a direct voice in determining how the vacancy is filled.
The bill was sent to Gov. Andy Beshear after a brief discussion, with a 34-3 vote in favor by the state Senate. Despite the governor’s criticism of the measure as being motivated by partisanship, there is a possibility for the GOP supermajority legislature to override a veto during the final two days of this year’s session in mid-April.
The bill’s primary advocate is Steven Rudy, the Republican House Majority Floor Leader. According to him, the measure is not connected to McConnell, but rather represents his longstanding policy position on filling vacant Senate seats.
According to Rudy, McConnell is more than just a political mentor to him; he is also a great friend. Rudy acknowledges McConnell’s significant contribution to the Republican Party’s ascent to power in the Kentucky legislature.
Rudy proposes a bill that aims to treat a Senate vacancy in a similar manner as a vacancy for a congressional or legislative seat in Kentucky. The bill suggests conducting a special election to fill the vacant seat. If passed into law, the bill would come into effect immediately due to its emergency clause.
In February, Rudy presented the bill, and just a day after McConnell’s announcement that he will relinquish his long-held Senate leadership position in November, it quickly passed a House committee. This move sparked a flurry of speculation in Kentucky about the fate of his seat.
During his speech on the Senate floor, McConnell expressed his willingness to potentially run for another term in 2026. He confidently stated, “I have no plans to leave anytime soon.”
McConnell’s announcement was not related to his health, according to aides. They clarified that the senator had a concussion from a fall last year and experienced two public episodes where his face momentarily froze while speaking.
