Kentucky Lawmakers Approve Bill Stripping Democrat Gov Of Power To Appoint US Senators During Vacancy

The Associated Press reports:

Kentucky lawmakers gave final approval Thursday to a bill stripping the state’s Democratic governor of any role in picking someone to occupy a U.S. Senate seat if a vacancy occurred in the home state of 82-year-old Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell.

The legislation calls for a special election to fill any Senate vacancy from the Bluegrass State. The special election winner would hold the seat for the remainder of the unexpired term.

The bill’s lead sponsor is Republican House Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy [photo]. He has said the measure has nothing to do with McConnell, but instead reflected his long-running policy stance on how an empty Senate seat should be filled.

Read the full article. The GOP holds a supermajority in the Kentucky legislature and can easily override a veto by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.

Republican-passed bill removes role of Democratic governor if Senate vacancy occurs in Kentucky https://t.co/4HHFJwGZee

— The Associated Press (@AP) March 28, 2024