At this point, we're already witnessing the GOP version of "Weekend at Bernie's".

Like they did with Strom Thurmond. Dude had to be wheeled onto the Senate floor and looked half dead by the end.

Part of the reason this happens is committee seniority is determined by length of time in the Senate, so to control committees it's important to keep Senators in office as long as possible for both parties.

I think some people might read this comment and think you are describing some satirical hyperbolic scenario. But given what we have seen from conservatives over the last few years, It's not just possible, it's their normal.

This is insanity.

Under the amended law, the governor now may only choose from three names recommended by the executive committee of the outgoing senator's state party, and must make that selection within 21 days of receiving the list from the party.

With both of Kentucky's senators currently being Republican, the choosing of those three nominees would be up to the executive committee of the Republican Party of Kentucky, which is made up of 54 members.

After a vacancy is filled, there would be a special election with an open and bipartisan process — often referred to as a "jungle primary" — allowing any candidate gaining 1,000 signature to run. A candidate with more than 50% of the vote would win, but if no one wins a majority of the vote, the top two vote getters would go on to a runoff election in 70 days.

The timing of that election would be determined based on when the vacancy occurred.

If the vacancy occurred more than three months before a regularly scheduled election, that's when it would take place. It the vacancy occurred less than three months before an election and a regular election is scheduled the following year, the latter election date is when the vote for the Senate seat would occur.