If Beshear forces KY to seat a Democratic Senator...

[mr715]

He will have probably earned my vote in the 2028 primary.

Oyah... McConnell? Seems like he won't be recovering without some serious dark magic.

[RockRaven]

1. What's the law in KY? (some states require someone of the same party to be appointed)

[Chasstev365]

2. Here you go:

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/28/kentucky-replace-mcconnell-beshear-00149543

[mr715]

3. The legislature passed a law requiring the Gov select from a slate...

But the state constitution unequivocally vests appointment power in the governor. Gov. Beshear has said he would appoint who he wants according to the constitutional and in violation of the (unconstitutional) state law.

[Boo1]

6. Assuming he's using this section

Section 76 Power of Governor to fill vacancies.
He shall have the power, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, to fill
vacancies by granting commissions, which shall expire when such vacancies shall have
been filled according to the provisions of this Constitution.

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/Law/Constitution/Constitution/ViewConstitution?rsn=84

[eppur_se_muova]

16. **IF** the state law amended the state Constitution, he would have to obey the amendment. Otherwise, ...

in a contest between a recently passed state law (other than an amendment) and the Constitution, the Constitution wins.

[Boo1]

17. I think amendments have to go before a general election to be voted on

Section 256 Amendments to Constitution -- How proposed and voted upon.
Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed in either House of the General
Assembly at a regular session, and if such amendment or amendments shall be agreed to
by three-fifths of all the members elected to each House, such proposed amendment or
amendments, with the yeas and nays of the members of each House taken thereon, shall
be entered in full in their respective journals. Then such proposed amendment or
amendments shall be submitted to the voters of the State for their ratification or rejection
at the next general election for members of the House of Representatives, the vote to be
taken thereon in such manner as the General Assembly may provide, and to be certified
by the officers of election to the Secretary of State in such manner as shall be provided by
law, which vote shall be compared and certified by the same board authorized by law to
compare the polls and give certificates of election to officers for the State at large. If it
shall appear that a majority of the votes cast for and against an amendment at said
election was for the amendment, then the same shall become a part of the Constitution of
this Commonwealth, and shall be so proclaimed by the Governor, and published in such
manner as the General Assembly may direct. Said amendments shall not be submitted at
an election which occurs less than ninety days from the final passage of such proposed
amendment or amendments. Not more than four amendments shall be voted upon at any
one time. If two or more amendments shall be submitted at the same time, they shall be
submitted in such manner that the electors shall vote for or against each of such
amendments separately, but an amendment may relate to a single subject or to related
subject matters and may amend or modify as many articles and as many sections of the
Constitution as may be necessary and appropriate in order to accomplish the objectives of
the amendment. The approval of the Governor shall not be necessary to any bill, order,
resolution or vote of the General Assembly, proposing an amendment or amendments to
this Constitution.

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/Law/Constitution/Constitution/ViewConstitution?rsn=294

[FarPoint]

4. It appears McConnell just has a pulse at best now....

I say he is incapable to hold his Senate position with no predictable option to returning to duty, ever....so, I say, lets move on this replacement now....

[DavidDvorkin]

5. I assume Beshear could appoint himself

I wonder if he would.

[Boo1]

7. Would be a bad idea

He has several years left as Gov and he can't run for the seat since there is already a Democratic candidate for the seat in the general.

He should appoint that person, Charles Booker.

[DavidDvorkin]

12. I thought he was finished this January

My mistake.

[Buckeyeblue]

8. He must call a special election 80-150 days from the seat becoming open

At this point he can basically run out the click until the end of the year.

[mr715]

9. Which is poetic, considering McConnell.

However, I think he can demonstrate a bit of fighting spirit.

[Bayard]

10. He can't

The governor has to appoint a candidate from the same party as the current senator.

[hookaleft]

11. Is that true??

Can't he appoint a democrat?

[Bayard]

13. I live in KY--trust me, its true.

[Music Man]

14. I live in Kentucky, and I'm confident Beshear would pick someone non-controversial.

He is certainly a progressive in a red state, but his tack is really about good governance rather than throwing bombs, which is how he's become so popular to begin with.

His choices may be limited based on some recent changes to the law (that are currently in the courts, I think), but even then, he would not be looking to score electoral points with this, because it would look like a craven political move, and that's not him.

[Fiendish Thingy]

15. That wouldn't be enough for me

I think we can do better than Beshear in 2028.

For one, I do not think he supports court expansion (if I am wrong, please correct me)

But I agree, he will be a formidable candidate, and many are underestimating him currently.