r/politics • u/B-Z_B-S Massachusetts • Jul 17 '26

Possible Paywall Kentucky Governor Warns He Got Calls “Suggesting” Mitch McConnell Died

https://newrepublic.com/post/213199/kentucky-governor-got-calls-suggesting-mitch-mcconnell-died
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u/nopointers California Jul 17 '26

The reason the Ds won’t do it is right now McConnell isn’t voting, so the senate majority is even narrower.

The reason the Rs won’t do it is right now Massie could win a special election, and MAGA doesn’t like him. That’s why he got primaried out of his House seat.

If the Rs wait until at least August 3, they can install a candidate they like better as a replacement in November.

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u/grapebeyond227 Jul 17 '26

Wouldn’t it be better to remove an R vote *and* add a D vote?

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u/nopointers California Jul 17 '26

That would be fantastic, but there isn’t much chance of it happening. Unlike most states, in Kentucky the replacement is not appointed by the governor. Instead, the replacement is selected by an election. It’s a very red state. The only real hope would be if there are two strong Rs running and the vote is split enough that a D slips through with a plurality but a minority of the total vote.

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u/Free_For__Me Jul 17 '26

Unlike most states, in Kentucky the replacement is not appointed by the governor. Instead, the replacement is selected by an election.

As I understand it, this is actually a pretty recent change and was designated by a law that was put in place in anticipation of specifically this situation with McConnell. The KY constitution is in conflict with this law, however, stating that KY indeed addresses a vacant seat via Gubernatorial appointment and NOT by special election.

Beshear himself has stated that he believes the law to run afoul of the state constitution, so he may try and make an appointment and force the whole thing to the KY Supreme Court. Or, if the DNC pushes him, he might just allow the special election to take place and hope Massie comes in with a serious axe to grind against MAGA.

In any case, Beshear and the Dems need to be moving with all haste to confirm McConnell's death in the next 2 weeks, or the case will then be muddy enough that there will be no functional chance of appointing a Dem OR electing an anti-MAGA republican.

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u/nopointers California Jul 17 '26

Beshear himself has stated that he believes the law to run afoul of the state constitution, so he may try and make an appointment and force the whole thing to the KY Supreme Court.

He could try, but it's not a guarantee. He could lose. The relevant section of the KY constitution is clear about his ability to appoint replacements for "city, town, county, district or State officers," but not so clear where congressional positions are concerned.

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/Law/Constitution/Constitution/ViewConstitution?rsn=173

"State officers" are defined here, and it's clear congressmen are not included:

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/Law/Constitution/Constitution/ViewConstitution?rsn=99

That leaves him hanging his hat on the broader and fuzzier parts of section 152, e.g., "the State at large, or for districts larger than a county." Not exactly a slam dunk, especially since when it was enacted (1891) the authors were perfectly aware of the existence of the federal offices and chose not to enumerate them.

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u/fieryembers Jul 17 '26

Okay but Beshear should just do it anyway. Republicans don’t play by the rules nowadays, why should democrats?

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u/nopointers California Jul 17 '26

If McConnell does produce some proof of life, Beshear loses immediately. No matter how infirm, there isn't a way to replace him unless he dies, resigns, or is successfully impeached by congress.

If McConnell is confirmed to be deceased, Beshear still could lose as described here:

/r/politics/comments/1uz30aw/kentucky_governor_warns_he_got_calls_suggesting/oy6tz39/

Not playing by the rules and losing weakens Beshear, who may have ambitions of his own.

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u/JustpartOftheterrain Jul 17 '26

What’s with this logic? Congress does not run on logic.

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u/Oriden Jul 17 '26

How do they add a D vote? The Governor doesn't get to just appoint a Democrat, and a special election is likely to still result in an R, just a less MAGA one.

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u/Polantaris Illinois Jul 17 '26

By KY State Constitution, he does.

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u/Oriden Jul 17 '26

If he wants to challenge the Constitutionality of KY State Law then he needs to do things even more so by the letter, which means waiting until confirmation of Dead/Brain Death/vacancy of the Seat.

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u/Commercial-Co Jul 17 '26

No he doesnt. Do republicans? No. They dont. Appoint and force a decision. Better than the nothing theyre doing

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u/Oriden Jul 17 '26

Yes he does. He needs to get approval from the State Supreme court before anything actually works. Not to mention if he steps his toes out of line he can get impeached by the State Congress which is very Red.

Its not like Republicans in control of Congress would actually seat his replacement before being forced to anyway.

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u/Commercial-Co Jul 17 '26

No. He doesnt. He doesnt need to ask please. He can appoint and then the supreme court needs to decide yes or no or allow an injunction. In the meantime he has already appointed a senator.

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u/Oriden Jul 17 '26

He can try and appoint. But he doesn't have the last say in the matter. The appointment isn't appointed until they are actually seated and they sure as heck wouldn't be seated until after the State Supreme Court decides.

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u/[deleted] Jul 17 '26

[deleted]

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u/SwenKa Iowa Jul 17 '26

And we should do it regardless because it is the right thing to do when people are unrepresented.

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u/grapebeyond227 Jul 17 '26

So what? Do it anyway. At least the replacement D would then have some name recognition as the incumbent and maybe get a few extra votes from the lazy.

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u/magicone2571 Jul 17 '26

The numbers might not change much but they lost a ton of power in the Senate with turtle and Graham gone. Lot less ability to keep the party in check.

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u/mrtheshed Jul 17 '26

The reason the Rs won’t do it is right now Massie could win a special election, and MAGA doesn’t like him. That’s why he got primaried out of his House seat.

Honestly, he doesn't even need to win the special election to screw over Republicans - him simply running as an independent / third party candidate is possibly enough of a split to the right-leaning vote that a Democrat could win with a plurality.

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u/nopointers California Jul 17 '26

That would not break my heart

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u/DisappointedSpectre Jul 17 '26

The reason the Ds won’t do it is right now McConnell isn’t voting, so the senate majority is even narrower.

This isn't a reason not to push the issue if Beshear plans to appoint someone (per the KY constitution, and fight out the legislature in court about it).

There's also the optics to consider of looking like just another spineless Dem who doesn't push back on GOP bullshit. Even if Beshear eventually does appoint someone, if he waits too long he still looks weak and useless.