I’d just like to mention that I keep seeing this thread title, and even though I know there’s no news, I still open it up… in hopes that it’s finally true.
(that Mitch has retired… or otherwise “exited”)
I can’t help it, I keep getting my hopes up!
That really is telling.
Sasse is one guy who keeps doing/saying big things that makes me think there ARE some non-insane Rs out there. Then I remember more less-publicized instances of his true nature…
Kinzinger from IL seems non-insane. Which must mean he has no future w/ the Rs! 
I keep hoping the retirement is as in The Good Place.
Michael: Its an extreme form of punishment. We call it " The Eternal Shriek ." My soul will be disintegrated, and each molecule will be placed on the surface of a different burning sun. And then my essence will be scooped out of my body with a flaming ladle and poured over hot diamonds.
Tahani: But the diamonds are lovely…?
Michael: They’re not. And then what’s left of my body will be endlessly beaten with a titanium rod.
Tahani : Like a piñata. [Indicates a piñata she has made in the form of Michael]
Michael: Yes, except you have the string around my waist, but instead it will definitely be around my genitals.
I suppose it’s too much to hope for.
Aside from the self-serving aspect of applying this solely to Kentucky, there is another reason that this could be a good idea. How many sitting Senators have been bypassed for cabinet posts because their home state’s Governor was of the opposite party? (Especially with control of the Senate in the balance.)
So what if a Governor is required to appoint a Senator of the party opposed to himself? Such a governor can always find a suitable RINO or DINO (as the case may require) for the job.
The Kentucky bill would, as in some other states, require the governor to choose from a shortlist drawn up by the party.
All the more reason for other states to implement rules like this! The Kentucky legislature can only make the rules for Kentucky.
So the elected senator is replaced by someone chosen by a group of unelected party bureaucrats? I thought Republicans were supposed to be against that sort of thing.
It took some digging in the Kentucky Republican Party Bylaws, but the “state executive committee” that would come up with the slate of candidates appear to be largely members of the party who are elected to their positions.