Gov. Andy Beshear said “Kentuckians have grown increasingly concerned” about Sen. Mitch McConnell’s health as his office has declined to give details about his hospitalization.
It doesn’t necessarily make the entire election “special” though. It depends on KY law and how far the relative parties want to push it, but it is possible to schedule a special election and a general election on the same day.
In that case, the special election will have different rules for qualification. The winner would take office right after the special election is certified but only serve until the scheduled end of the term (about five or six weeks). Then the winner of the general election would take over at the normal time. Two ballot lines, essentially for the same job. And Massie will not be on the general election ballot.
So, if this is the reason what it really means is they would rather leave the seat vacant until the end of the term than give Massie any platform whatsoever. If he wins a special election, even if he only serves a few weeks he can use that to go after Rand Paul when his term is up.
It doesn’t necessarily make the entire election “special” though. It depends on KY law and how far the relative parties want to push it, but it is possible to schedule a special election and a general election on the same day.
In that case, the special election will have different rules for qualification. The winner would take office right after the special election is certified but only serve until the scheduled end of the term (about five or six weeks). Then the winner of the general election would take over at the normal time. Two ballot lines, essentially for the same job. And Massie will not be on the general election ballot.
So, if this is the reason what it really means is they would rather leave the seat vacant until the end of the term than give Massie any platform whatsoever. If he wins a special election, even if he only serves a few weeks he can use that to go after Rand Paul when his term is up.