In most states, if a Senator leaves office for any reason, the state's governor would be empowered to appoint a replacement until a special election can be held. Kentucky, however, has two powerful Republican Senators, and a Democratic Governor. So after some back and forth, the legislature passed a bill (over the Governor's veto) that said the Governor could not appoint anyone, but could only schedule the special election, letting the seat remain vacant.

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/05/how-are-us-senate-vacancies-filled-in-kentucky/78253161007/

However, it is possible the governor might ignore the law and appoint someone anyway, and let the Senate deal with accepting the appointment.

You could ask Dianne Feinstein the same question. God only knows what keeps Chuck Grassley ticking.

These people are fucking pathological.

Elderly people are stubborn as old nails. They don't just move out of the way on their own.

The better question is what's keeping them affixed to their positions. Enormous amounts of money go to defending incumbents with full on dementia. And party loyalists consider their aging leadership sacrosanct.

On top of all that, Senators get the best health care benefits in the world. Keeping your job is - in some ways - a predicate for your very survival.

I personally will not be satisfied until he rests beneath the dirt.