If McConnell is unavailable, even Thomas Massie could replace him up until Aug. 3 deadline for KY special elections

[allegorical oracle]

By Robbie Soave

(Speculation underway in KY)

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R–S.D.) maintains that he has spoken with McConnell, that he's in good health, and that he'll be voting on legislation again any day now. Republican commentator Scott Jennings said he spoke with McConnell and that he's fine.

snip

McConnell is retiring, and the standard election to replace him will happen in November. It's already squared away: a Republican, Andy Barr, vs. a Democrat, Charles Booker. Barr is supported by the Republican establishment and is overwhelmingly likely to win since Kentucky is a Republican state.

But that's November. What if, God forbid, McConnell doesn't make it until then? Well, in that case, Kentucky would have to hold a special election to fill the seat. Kentucky is one of a handful of states in which the governor can't just appoint a temporary replacement: It would need to schedule a special election. And anybody could file to run as an independent in that election—including Massie.

But here's the catch—this only applies if it became clear that McConnell needed to be replaced before the cutoff date of August 3. After August 3, there will be no special election, even if McConnell is out early. At that point, the seat would simply be empty, and McConnell's replacement would be determined via the normal November election. And it's too late for Massie or anyone else to run as an independent in that one.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/mitch-mcconnell-s-absence-sparks-thomas-massie-senate-speculation/ar-AA27q05s

[SSJVegeta]

1. Thomas massie would need to be approved by a republican committee, no?

[allegorical oracle]

6. Massie would likely have to run as an Indy given that Andy Barr is the Dem. My

point with posting this piece is that Kentucky Repugs are incentivized to keep McConnell around until after a special election can be held -- even if they have to have him stuffed by a taxidermist and fake the phonecalls.

[SSJVegeta]

7. Well Im referring to

Last edited Wed Jul 8, 2026, 01:59 PM - Edit history (3)

The law that requires beshear to appoint a senator of the same party as the departing senator

A law thst doesnt exist.

[Wiz Imp]

9. No such law exists anymore. THe law was changed in 2024 to require a special election.

Last edited Wed Jul 8, 2026, 01:25 PM - Edit history (1)

The Governor no longer has any power to appoint a Senator.

[SSJVegeta]

11. Good to know! Im wayyy behind the curve. Thank you!!

My memory is becoming less and less reliable as time passes...

[Wiz Imp]

10. Not True. See post 8.

Last edited Wed Jul 8, 2026, 12:50 PM - Edit history (1)

[returnee]

2. Beshar would have to begin arrangements for a special election...

…prior to the August 3 cutoff date. He should insist on seeing that McConnell is not only alive but viable before then.

[Chasstev365]

4. Maybe he is as we speak

[HappyH]

3. Massie is who they are afraid of.

The possibility of Massie being Senator, even for a short time, is why the Republicans are keeping McConnell’s condition a secret.

[rampartd]

5. beshear could ask to speak with or see his state's senator.

if not, the senator is unable to perform his duties.

[Wiz Imp]

8. Total nonsense.

The current situation is VERY BAD for Republicans and a GREAT SITUATION for Democrats. Democrats are the ones who should not want a special election. An incapacitated McConnell means Republicans have only 52 votes in the Senate instead of 53. With only 52 votes, now only 3 Republicans need to vote with Democrats to kill any legislation or nominees. For example, Democrats now need only 3 Republicans to vote against Blanche as AG to kill his nomination. With McConnell present or another Republican elected in a special election taking his place, Democrats would need 4 Republican votes to kill Blanche's nomination.

Massie voted with Trump 98% of the time. Even if Massie became 100% anti-Trump, him or a Democraat winning a special election would at most be minimally worse for Republicans than a vacant seat or an incapacitated McConnell. Having a Democrat in that seat only really helps Democrats during votes where one or more Republicans are absent. Whether it's 52-47 or 52-48, Democrats still need 3 Republican votes in the senate to kill Republican legislation or nominees. A special election which ould lmost certainly be won by a Republican, would give Republicans back tht 53rd vote for several months.

Besides, Massie couldn't even win his own district. Why would Republicans be afraid of him winning a statewide election? It's an insane conspiracy theory that makes zero sense.

Why are so many people here convinced there is a conspiracy to hide McConnells death, when if it were true, it's a huge favor to Democrats and doesn't help Republicans one bit.