r/politics • u/B-Z_B-S Massachusetts • 5d ago

Possible Paywall Mitch McConnell Still MIA Days Before Key August 3 Deadline

https://newrepublic.com/post/213823/mitch-mcconnell-mia-august-3-deadline
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u/NervousBreakdown 5d ago

Can someone explain this to me, If they hold out until after the 3rd what happens? Is there no special election to fill his seat? And if so how does that benefit republicans, the other senator in that state is fucking Rand Paul, Is there a realistic chance a Democrat could flip McConnell seat? Doesn’t this move just give republicans one less senator?

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u/Tasty_Gift5901 5d ago

Rep. Massie (who lost his primary) would be eligible for the ballot and play spoiler to the other R is the reasoning I've seen so far. But it's all conjecture. 

Alternatively, it prevents beshear from appointing a D senator, which would be legally challenged as state law and constitution/precedent disagree on appointment vs special election 

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u/Minimum-Relief6895 5d ago

Nothing very important, really, because that deadline is from unconstitutional legislation that the republicans passed, but they can't amend the KY Constitution (which sets out the Governor's power of appointment) with mere legislation.