FRAKFORT, Ky. — Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced Wednesday he will step down as leader of the Senate Republican caucus later this year but said he intends to serve out the remainder of his term. Here’s how his Senate seat would be filled should he leave Congress before then.  

What You Need To Know

  • Under current Kentucky law, if one of the Commonwealth’s U.S. senators leaves office before the end of their term, the governor would appoint their replacement

  • State Rep. Steven Rudy, R-Paducah, has filed a bill that would change how Kentucky fills U.S. Senate vacancies

  • Under House Bill 622, U.S. Senate vacancies would be filled by special election, just as is done for vacancies in the House

Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., would appoint someone to fill that vacancy, until the next election. A 2021 bill passed by the Republican-controlled legislature limited who that appointment could be. 

The governor must pick from three people who’ve been selected by a committee made up of people who are the same party as the outgoing lawmaker. McConnell said in 2021 he supports this process. 

But this procedure could soon change. Last week, House Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy, R-Paducah, filed a bill that would take away appointment power from the governor, opting to let voters decide the replacement through a special election.

This would move U.S. Senate vacancy appointments in line with U.S. representative and state lawmakers. 

Rudy told Spectrum News this change does not have to do with McConnell’s health.

That bill will be discussed Thursday in a House committee.

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