Kentucky lawmakers have passed a bill that would remove Governor Andy Beshear from the process of choosing a replacement for a U.S. Senate seat in the state. Instead, a special election would be held to fill any vacancy that occurs. The bill was approved by a vote of 34-3 in the state Senate, and could potentially be enacted into law even if Beshear vetoes it, due to the GOP supermajority in the legislature. The bill’s lead sponsor, Republican House Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy, has stated that the measure is not aimed at Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, but rather reflects a long-standing policy stance regarding how Senate vacancies should be filled.
Rudy’s bill would treat a Senate vacancy in the same way as a vacancy for a congressional or legislative seat in Kentucky, by holding a special election to select a replacement. The bill includes an emergency clause, which means it would take effect immediately upon becoming law. The timing of the bill coincided with McConnell’s announcement that he would be stepping down from his Senate leadership position in November, sparking speculation about the future of his seat. McConnell himself has indicated that he may seek another term in 2026, stating: “I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.”
Rudy has been advocating for changes in the process of filling Senate vacancies for over a decade, citing the conviction of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich for attempting to sell an appointment to Barack Obama’s Senate seat as a catalyst for his efforts. The bill is seen as a way to address concerns about potential abuses in the selection process and ensure a more direct voice of the people in choosing a replacement senator. Beshear, who had previously been involved in selecting a senator to fill a vacancy, has seen his influence greatly diminished by previous legislative measures enacted by GOP lawmakers.
In 2021, the Kentucky legislature passed a law that removed the governor’s independent power to temporarily fill a Senate seat, limiting the selection process to a three-name list provided by party leaders from the same party as the former senator. Both of Kentucky’s U.S. senators are Republicans, and the measure was enacted into law after GOP lawmakers overrode Beshear’s veto. The bill to change the process for filling Senate vacancies reflects ongoing debates and power struggles within Kentucky politics, particularly in light of McConnell’s decision to step down from his Senate leadership position. The bill seeks to ensure a more transparent and democratic process for selecting a replacement senator in the future.
