# Mitch McConnell falls twice in Capitol **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 6, 2025, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937 "2025-02-06T00:54:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/121 "2026-07-07T11:13:32Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > can’t vote, can’t be removed from life support (because that would be murder), and also can’t be replaced? As the constitutional and legal conditions stand today, that is so, barring a reinterpretation of Senate Rules to make permanent/longterm incapacitation a cause for expulsion. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/122 "2026-07-07T13:18:52Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > remain convinced that Chao went to China to consolidate financial accounts where she can control them Isn’t she also on Trump’s enemies list after she jumped ship after Jan. 6? Without the protection of being married to a sitting senator, she may be in line for the Bolton treatment. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/123 "2026-07-07T13:43:15Z")
What are the rules in Kentucky for a Senatorial death? I believe I read that the governor would choose from three names given to him by the party of the dead Senator. But if he dies greater than X number of days from the election, could they add a special election to replace him to the November ballot? If so, what is X? ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/124 "2026-07-07T13:51:21Z")
It would be sweet justice if Beshear could run out the clock on that _a la_ the Merrick Garland nomination. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/125 "2026-07-07T14:06:37Z")
See above in the thread. The law was changed a few years ago. A special election is held to select the replacement. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/126 "2026-07-07T14:19:04Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > I remain convinced that Chao went to China to consolidate financial accounts where she can control them. My guess? She heard talk of euthanasia, said “I’ll check”, and hopped a plane to China. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/127 "2026-07-07T14:35:46Z")
So there’s no incentive to hide or delay his death, there will be a special election regardless? ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/128 "2026-07-07T14:37:24Z")
Someone has to schedule a special election. Is that the governor? ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/129 "2026-07-07T14:40:48Z")
FWIW (and I think this is still P&E-appropriate), it seems Ms. Chao had a previously scheduled ‘diplomatic mission’ to China: [**Mitch McConnell’s Wife Elaine Chao Traveled to China for Work Trip 3 Days After He Was Hospitalized - People Magazine**](https://people.com/mitch-mcconnell-s-wife-elaine-chao-traveled-to-china-3-days-after-he-was-hospitalized-12013118) > [@](#): > > Chao, who married McConnell in 1993, met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on June 17 in Beijing, according to Chinese state media service Xinhua. The report, which was also published by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America, claims Han “urged further efforts to strengthen” the relationship between the U.S. and China during the meeting. > > “Chao said maintaining stable U.S.-China relations serves the interests of all parties, and expressed the willingness to continue making efforts to promote practical cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between the United States and China,” read the report, which was accompanied by a picture of Han and Chao. Make of that what you will 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/130 "2026-07-07T14:51:27Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Someone has to schedule a special election. Is that the governor? It sounds like Beshear could delay an election until November. - “In Kentucky, if a U.S. Senator dies in office, the Governor issues a writ of election to schedule a special election. The special election must be announced no fewer than 80 days and no more than 150 days after the vacancy occurs.” That’s five months! ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/131 "2026-07-07T14:55:31Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > it seems Ms. Chao had a previously scheduled ‘diplomatic mission’ to China: On whose behalf? Did Trump actually give her a job? I guess that’s why ‘diplomatic mission’ is in quotes. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/132 "2026-07-07T14:59:12Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > So there’s no incentive to hide or delay his death, there will be a special election regardless? Only until Aug 3rd, after that they just wait for November. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/133 "2026-07-07T15:01:15Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > The special election must be announced no fewer than 80 days and no more than 150 days after the vacancy occurs.” > [@DigitalC](#): > > Only until Aug 3rd, after that they just wait for November. One of you says 150 days, the other says 90 days. Have you found cites for either? I haven’t been able to find anything. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/134 "2026-07-07T15:06:29Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > It sounds like Beshear could delay an election until November. - “In Kentucky, if a U.S. Senator dies in office, the Governor issues a writ of election to schedule a special election. The special election must be announced no fewer than 80 days and no more than 150 days after the vacancy occurs.” That’s five months! Or more. The clock doesn’t start until he actually dies. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/135 "2026-07-07T15:11:18Z")
I regretfully remind Dopers that in spite of having a Democratic governor, Kentucky overall remains a red state with no realistic prospect of electing a Democratic Senator in November _or_ in a special election. Even if a wild card like Massie could win a special election, there’s little he could do in a few months’ time but embarrass Trump a bit more than he already has been. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/136 "2026-07-07T15:11:55Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > One of you says 150 days, the other says 90 days. Have you found cites for either? I haven’t been able to find anything. Nothing besides this [tweet from Adam Cochran](https://x.com/adamscochran/status/2073545566550651018). To be honest i have no idea who he is or if this is true. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/137 "2026-07-07T15:13:06Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > I regretfully remind Dopers that in spite of having a Democratic governor, Kentucky overall remains a red state with no realistic prospect of electing a Democratic Senator in November _or_ in a special election. Their fear is Thomas Massie running. Which would be best case scenario for that seat. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/138 "2026-07-07T15:21:29Z")
I’m unclear on who is helped or hurt by these scenarios. Is a special election versus waiting until November an advantage to either party? ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/139 "2026-07-07T15:25:17Z")
Seems to me that the simplest explanation is the most likely. His wife has business to conclude oversees and they’ll wait until she’s back to say her goodbyes to pull the plug. Of course, when the source of information that he’s brain dead is Laura Loomer, all bets are off. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937/140 "2026-07-07T15:34:24Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > > [@TroutMan](#): > > > > One of you says 150 days, the other says 90 days. Have you found cites for either? I haven’t been able to find anything. > > Nothing besides this [tweet from Adam Cochran](https://x.com/adamscochran/status/2073545566550651018). This looks to be actual text of the law, hosted on the Kentucky legislature’s web site: > **[orig\_bill.pdf](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/21RS/sb228/orig_bill.pdf)** > 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, but no regular election is scheduled in the succeeding year, or if a vacancy occurs during any year in which no regular election is scheduled, the Governor shall issue a writ of election. The writ of election shall: > > (a) Be signed by the Governor; > (b) Be issued within thirty (30) days of the occurrence of the vacancy; > (c) Set the date of the special election which shall be held no sooner than sixty (60) days, and no later than ninety (90) days, following the issuance of the writ; and > (d) Be directed to the sheriffs as required under Section 2 of this Act. So, assuming there is a “vacancy”, the election **writ** has to be issued within 30 days. And the writ will set an election date 60-90 days after the date of the writ. That means that the _earliest_ an election can be held would be 60 days afterward (if the writ was issued immediately) and the _latest_ it could be held would be 120 days afterward (the writ issued 30 days after the vacancy and election scheduled 90 days after the writ). Bottom line, if McConnell was to be confirmed deceased or braindead or whatever qualifies for his seat to be “vacant” today, the special election could be held September 5 at the earliest, and November 4 at the latest (if my math is right). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-falls-twice-in-capitol/1013937.md?page=8)