In the event McConnell is no longer a Senator, what happens? 
Kentucky Law
- Kentucky law (changed in 2024) requires a special election to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy—no temporary gubernatorial appointment is allowed . Kentucky is one of only five states with this rule.
- The governor (currently Democrat Andy Beshear) must call the special election.
- Timeline: The special election must occur no sooner than 60 days and no later than 90 days after the vacancy occurs.
- “If a vacancy occurs less than three (3) months before the regular election in any year in which any regular election is held in this state, and if a regular election is scheduled in the succeeding year, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment under subsection (1) of this section, and the unexpired term shall be filled at the regular election in the succeeding year.”
The third bullet point above is confusing. The “succeeding year” language refers to when the elected person actually takes office.
This legislation was passed over Beshear’s veto specifically to handle McConnell. Republicans did not want Beshear picking a Democrat replacement Senator.
The national election is Tuesday November 3.
Kentucky Special Election Breakdown
| Vacancy Date | Time Before Nov 3 Election | Rule That Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Before August 3 | More than 3 months | Normal special election (60–90 day window) |
| On/after August 3 | Less than 3 months | Temporary gubernatorial appointment until winner of Nov 2026 election fills the seat |
Beshear Would Be in No Rush
Here are the calendar dates of concern from Monday, July 20, 2026
| Days from July 20 | Date |
|---|---|
| 60 days | September 18, 2026 (Friday) |
| 75 days | October 3, 2026 (Saturday) |
| 90 days | October 18, 2026 (Sunday) |
Kentucky elections are generally Tuesday. If Beshear picked a Tuesday, the earliest date would be Tuesday, September 22, assuming McConnell stepped aside on July 20. Adjust accordingly.
In practice, I think Beshear would opt for Tuesday, October 6 if McConnell was out soon.
Note that the Senate is scheduled for a recess from October 5 through November 6, 2026 for the election.
After October 5, a special election appointee would be in the election recess.
Trump could call Congress back for a Special Election. This power is rarely used. The last time a president called a special session was Harry Truman in 1948.
Save Act Implications
Superficial. Even with an immediate McConnell replacement today, there are not enough votes.
It’s not a matter of finding 50 straight up, but rather finding 50 votes to kill the filibuster,
From a practical standpoint, we are already too close to the election to have a chance to implement the SAVE Act.
Other Legislation
It’s possible McConnell’s vote is needed for some other purpose.
Assuming Beshear would delay replacement until the Senate is in recess, all McConnell needs to do is hang on until July 23 for my middle-of-the-road ~75 days to kill any further legislation.
Trump could conceivably call Congress back, but no one in Congress would be pleased about that.
Also, there are 36 House Republicans who are not seeking re-election in the 2026 midterms compared to 22 House Democrats.
The math means it would be a risky move by Trump to call a special session.
I suspect many retiring and outed Republican House members would not show up. Democrats might show up for spite. So might Thomas Massie.
In the Event of Something Happening to Me
It is starting to get iffy about any major legislation passing.
Reconciliation Bill Odds
For discussion, please see The Odds of Congress Passing Another Reconciliation Bill Are Sinking Fast
Following Trump’s laughable speech to the nation on election security, odds fell from 52 percent to 25 percent.
It’s still doable, but the House Speaker foolishly tied in the SAVE Act creating issues that will cause delays.
the world is safer with senators brain dead or in deep depression for months…….
mitch and his replacement will never NOT vote for endless warfare. “Don’t tell me what the law is, tell me who the judge is.”This famous quip reflects the infamous legal strategy and cynical worldview of former McCarthy-era prosecutor and New York fixer Roy Cohn. It summarizes his belief that personal connections, political influence, and knowing the specific person on the bench were far more important than the actual text of the law.
I got the boot off 2 juries for stating I believe in nullification.
I think my 2018 prediction for one or moreSTATE’S EFFECTIVELY seceding by Jan 20, 2029, is looking more likely. All empires crumble. A wonderful thing. Most modern amerikans are very in love with their world wide war mongering empire.
If the guy from NJ can be out like 6 months without telling anyone what is wrong why pick on the poor old tortoise?
Is McConnell the corrupt Red Chinese puppet still alive in a non-vegatative state?
– Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) is going to try to win an election to secure a full term in the U.S. Senate, she said on July 20, after being named to fill the seat left vacant by her brother’s death.
> She just might pull it off!
already bet money on that. lived in SC for a delightful decade. it’s different than rest of USA
Does Mitch have a sister?
If so, then the answer to your question is about 5 minutes.
I thought the clock started over 30 days ago when he was vacant not when some decided he was vacant, which hasn’t happened yet but he’s still not addressing the issue.
Just like Iran, Mitch knows he just needs to make it past election night.
NYT: Pentagon withheld dozens of military injuries in Iran war
Pentagon didn’t disclose 3 separate Iranian attacks on Muwaffaq Salti AB in Jordan the week before the deadly strike that killed 2 US troops. Those earlier hits injured dozens of service members & damaged several helicopters officials cited operational security. CENTCOM later confirmed only 4 wounded in the fatal attack. Helicopter model/damage severity still unconfirmed.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/20/us/politics/troops-injured-jordan-iran-war.html
Not sure how this is relevant
Stop fomenting hate speech against non-relevant posts
lolz
This is standard wartime propaganda. Hide information from the public about how much damage the enemy did to your facilities and how many soldiers the enemy killed and wounded. Constantly tell the world you are winning, and that the enemy is devastated.
The problem is you lose all credibility when you tell the world over and over again that the enemy is completely defeated, yet the enemy keeps attacking and killing your soldiers, over and over again.
I must agree, that it’s odd that we are told they have no missile capabilities, No Air-force, Navy, or abilities, but yet they keep shooting at us from ships, air, drones, and yes Missiles are also being launched. WTF? I keep saying it, but once again, “Stop Talking” if it’s only dribble, and not reality! We need a Speaker, and not a Carnival Barker…