"Kentucky Governor's Uncertainty on GOP Appointment and McConnell's Health Concerns Spark Republican Reactions"
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has refused to commit to following a state law that would allow Republicans to choose a replacement for Senator Mitch McConnell if he were to leave Congress before the end of his term. Beshear stated that there is currently no Senate vacancy and that McConnell has expressed his intention to serve out his term. The governor's comments come amid increasing scrutiny of McConnell's health after he appeared to freeze up during recent news conferences. State laws regarding filling congressional vacancies vary, and Kentucky's General Assembly changed its procedures in 2021 to limit the governor's power in temporarily filling a Senate vacancy.