Political Future of the McConnell's proteges

[MargieCat]

I recall this article posted on this forum several years ago, from The Intercept that McConnell was working with the KY legislature to chart his exit strategy.

It involved appointing one of preferred successors. They were Attorney General Daniel Cameron, Secretary of State Michael Adams, and Former UN Ambassador Kelly Craft.

What are the future of McConnell's proteges?

Adams won in a landslide, but could he win a senate or gubernatorial primary?

Cameron could possibly run for senate, but would he win another primary after his embarrassing loss to Beshear?

Craft, I don't see having much of a political future. She was really from the donor class and has never won an election, if I'm not mistaking.

I think McConnell's influence will be diminished going forward. If he declines to run, his people may have issues getting through the primary.

Interesting how Kentucky's Attorney General, State Auditor, and Commissioner of Agriculture all gave up their seats to take on Beshear. That's a lot of turnover at the statewide elected level.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Hopefully Mitch gets cucked out of getting his preferred successor to win the primary in 2026.

[KYRockefeller]

The last time Mitch tried to handpick a Senate race in Kentucky it didn't go well.  Trey Grayson got obliterated in the primaries by Rand Paul.

Adams will have an uphill battle in his next campaign because he got a stronger margin in his race due to an ad that tied him to Beshear.  That was seen by some GOPers as abandoning Cameron so people will remember that if he mounts a 2027 bid for governor.

I also don't think Cameron did himself any favors losing this race.  Lots of anger about how poorly his campaign went.  And he didn't have a great set of accomplishments in the attorney general's office to boot.

[Del Tachi]

KY law requires senate vacancies to be filled by a member of the same party.  So even if McConnell retires while Beshear is in office, he'll get a Republican replacement.

Maybe the move is for McConnell to retire before 2026.  The executive committee of the KY GOP would get to send Beshear three names he could choose from.  That's apparently a committee of 54 people, and unsure how many of these folks are "McConnell people"...but maybe they'd send Beshear some more establishment picks?  Kelly Craft seems plausible.

[MargieCat]

KY law requires senate vacancies to be filled by a member of the same party.  So even if McConnell retires while Beshear is in office, he'll get a Republican replacement.

Maybe the move is for McConnell to retire before 2026.  The executive committee of the KY GOP would get to send Beshear three names he could choose from.  That's apparently a committee of 54 people, and unsure how many of these folks are "McConnell people"...but maybe they'd send Beshear some more establishment picks?  Kelly Craft seems plausible.

That's the question.

If the committee is made up of Trump people, he might not have a say in the matter. But if it's McConnell people, he will possibly get who he wants. I'm not that knowledgeable about Kentucky so I don't know who controls the levers of power within the state party. In the past, it's been McConnell.

I do think it would be uncharacteristic of him to resign before his next election.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

KY law requires senate vacancies to be filled by a member of the same party.  So even if McConnell retires while Beshear is in office, he'll get a Republican replacement.

Maybe the move is for McConnell to retire before 2026.  The executive committee of the KY GOP would get to send Beshear three names he could choose from.  That's apparently a committee of 54 people, and unsure how many of these folks are "McConnell people"...but maybe they'd send Beshear some more establishment picks?  Kelly Craft seems plausible.

The constitutionality of that law is not settled and Beshear has strongly implied he’ll challenge it in Court and appoint a Democrat in the meantime if there’s a vacancy.

[E-Dawg]

KY law requires senate vacancies to be filled by a member of the same party.  So even if McConnell retires while Beshear is in office, he'll get a Republican replacement.

Maybe the move is for McConnell to retire before 2026.  The executive committee of the KY GOP would get to send Beshear three names he could choose from.  That's apparently a committee of 54 people, and unsure how many of these folks are "McConnell people"...but maybe they'd send Beshear some more establishment picks?  Kelly Craft seems plausible.

The constitutionality of that law is not settled and Beshear has strongly implied he’ll challenge it in Court and appoint a Democrat in the meantime if there’s a vacancy.

That would be a quick way for Beshear to lose his Republican support in Kentucky, though I guess he's term limited now anyways.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

KY law requires senate vacancies to be filled by a member of the same party.  So even if McConnell retires while Beshear is in office, he'll get a Republican replacement.

Maybe the move is for McConnell to retire before 2026.  The executive committee of the KY GOP would get to send Beshear three names he could choose from.  That's apparently a committee of 54 people, and unsure how many of these folks are "McConnell people"...but maybe they'd send Beshear some more establishment picks?  Kelly Craft seems plausible.

The constitutionality of that law is not settled and Beshear has strongly implied he’ll challenge it in Court and appoint a Democrat in the meantime if there’s a vacancy.

That would be a quick way for Beshear to lose his Republican support in Kentucky, though I guess he's term limited now anyways.

He’s term-limited.  Who cares?

[Shaula🏳️‍⚧️]

McConnell is despised in Kentucky. I have a feeling most open primaries in the state will not be favorable to his proteges.

[MichaelRbn]

As an alternative to being required to appoint a Republican to fill any McConnell vacancy, could Beshear just call a special election and leave the seat vacant until then?  I think Democrats wouldn’t mind a 51/48 majority for a few months (and it would be a fitting coda to Mitch’s keeping Garland off the Court.

[Not Me, Us]

KY law requires senate vacancies to be filled by a member of the same party.  So even if McConnell retires while Beshear is in office, he'll get a Republican replacement.

Maybe the move is for McConnell to retire before 2026.  The executive committee of the KY GOP would get to send Beshear three names he could choose from.  That's apparently a committee of 54 people, and unsure how many of these folks are "McConnell people"...but maybe they'd send Beshear some more establishment picks?  Kelly Craft seems plausible.

The constitutionality of that law is not settled and Beshear has strongly implied he’ll challenge it in Court and appoint a Democrat in the meantime if there’s a vacancy.

That would be a quick way for Beshear to lose his Republican support in Kentucky, though I guess he's term limited now anyways.

He’s term-limited.  Who cares?

Yeah McConnell really should've resigned before the election, now Beshear has zero reason not to go for broke, especially since he's basically guaranteed to be a presidential candidate in 2028.

[Landslide Lyndon]

What will be the legal angle if Beshear challenges the law at court?

[7,052,770]

What will be the legal angle if Beshear challenges the law at court?

He'll probably just appoint a Democrat and make Republicans take him to Court.

[OSR stands with Israel]

What will be the legal angle if Beshear challenges the law at court?

He'll probably just appoint a Democrat and make Republicans take him to Court.

Can't the senate refuse to seat him until the matter is resolved though.

[hurricanehink]

What will be the legal angle if Beshear challenges the law at court?

He'll probably just appoint a Democrat and make Republicans take him to Court.

Can't the senate refuse to seat him until the matter is resolved though.

But if the Dems have the majority, they *could* seat the Dem appointee.

[2016]

Republicans have control of both Legislature Chambers in Kentucky so if Beshear does go for broke and appoints a D then he will be impeached. Simple is that!

[7,052,770]

Republicans have control of both Legislature Chambers in Kentucky so if Beshear does go for broke and appoints a D then he will be impeached. Simple is that!

Wait, I thought it wouldn't be an appropriate use of the impeachment power since Beshear is just setting a "policy" that he will appoint a Democratic senator. He should only be impeached if he loses a court case over the issue and still tries to appoint a Democrat anyway, right?