r/politics • u/IWantPizza555 • Jul 08 '26

No Paywall Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear requests update on Sen. Mitch McConnell's health

https://www.whas11.com/article/news/politics/national-politics/kentucky-governor-andy-beshear-requests-update-senator-mitch-mcconnell-health/417-b9252baa-29ab-489e-94f1-147aa41e78ed
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u/King_Kung Jul 08 '26

Pretty sure if he is in a Coma, this would trigger a special election by Kentucky law.

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u/Suckage Jul 08 '26

It would not. There is no mechanism for a state to replace a sitting US senator.

Even if he spends the rest of his term in a coma, the state can’t hold a special election unless he dies, resigns, or is expelled by Congress.

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u/[deleted] Jul 08 '26

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Jul 08 '26

It was more important to address the incapacity of our leaders promptly in the past when America had dignity, and at least hid its underlying greed better.

Now, it’s just all out there. A statement from the Senate right now that said “the guy is dead or as good as, but we’re gonna keep him on ice for political reasons” wouldn’t even make the top headlines in today’s news.

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u/MarcusAurelius68 Jul 08 '26

In the past…

…like Woodrow Wilson?

“President Woodrow Wilson suffered a severe stroke in 1919, after which his wife, Edith Wilson, effectively took over running the executive branch of the government for the remainder of his term. 

She acted as a strict gatekeeper, deciding which matters of state were important enough for her bedridden husband's attention and communicating his decisions to government officials. This period of functional stewardship lasted for roughly 17 months, leading some historians to refer to her as America's first unofficial "woman president".”

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u/King_Kung Jul 08 '26

Kentucky law would trigger the special election if he is brain dead and being kept on life support.

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u/Suckage Jul 08 '26

There is no such law, as it would violate the 17th Amendment.

A special election can be held to fill a vacant seat. His seat is not vacant until he is pronounced dead, he resigns, or 2/3 of the senate votes to expel him.

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u/King_Kung Jul 08 '26

Kentucky considers being brain dead, legally dead. You can keep someone who is brain dead on life support. Not sure what else to tell you.

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u/[deleted] Jul 08 '26

Based on that election a couple months back, which Massie was bought out of, “brain dead” seems to be the “relationship status” on FB for 51% of KY.

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u/King_Kung Jul 08 '26

In that case, I guess Mitch is the best person to represent the commonwealth.

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u/got-trunks Canada Jul 09 '26

Terri Schiavo still in the running

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u/SouthPhase9300 Jul 08 '26

Wrong lmao.   That will never happen.

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u/umop_apisdn Jul 08 '26

Under Kentucky law, brain dead is dead.