Official announcement from the Kentucky Governor's office reported by major news outlets

Kentucky Law Limits Governor's Options for McConnell's Potential Senate Seat Replacement; Special Election Required

Dec 10, 2024, 07:38 PM

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has served since 1985 and is 82 years old, has not yet decided whether to retire or run for an eighth term. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, would be limited in his ability to appoint McConnell's replacement due to recent changes in state law. If McConnell were to retire, the appointment process would involve Beshear selecting from a list of three nominees provided by the Kentucky Republican Party's executive committee, with Daniel Cameron being a likely favorite. However, Beshear maintains that this statute is unconstitutional. Additionally, Kentucky law now mandates a special election to fill a Senate vacancy, rather than allowing the governor to appoint a replacement directly. This follows McConnell's recent fall, raising concerns about his health and calls for his retirement.