Kentucky lawmakers have passed a bill that would prevent the state’s Democratic governor from selecting a replacement for a U.S. Senate seat if it becomes vacant in Mitch McConnell’s home state. Instead, the bill calls for a special election to fill the seat for the remainder of the unexpired term, giving the direct voice to the people in determining the replacement. Governor Andy Beshear has denounced the bill as a partisan move, but the Republican majority legislature is expected to override any potential veto.
The lead sponsor of the bill, Republican House Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy, has stated that the legislation is not tied to McConnell personally but rather reflects his long-standing belief in how Senate vacancies should be filled. The bill treats a Senate vacancy the same as a congressional or legislative seat vacancy, by holding a special election. The bill includes an emergency clause, meaning it would take effect immediately upon being enacted into law. The bill was introduced in February, shortly after McConnell announced he would step down from his Senate leadership position in November.
McConnell’s announcement sparked speculation about the future of his Senate seat in Kentucky. Although McConnell left open the possibility of seeking another term in 2026, the legislation aims to establish a more transparent and democratic process for filling Senate vacancies. Rudy has been advocating for changing the way a Senate vacancy is filled for over a decade, drawing inspiration from former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s conviction for trying to sell an appointment to Barack Obama’s old Senate seat.
Governor Beshear’s influence over selecting a senator has already been greatly diminished by previous legislation passed in 2021. The previous law limited the governor’s power to temporarily fill a Senate seat, allowing them to choose only from a three-name list provided by party leaders from the same party as the former senator. With both of Kentucky’s U.S. senators being Republicans, the new legislation further curtails the governor’s role in selecting Senate replacements. The bill is expected to take effect immediately if ratified by the legislature.
