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Trout-Population t1_j8xv9b6 wrote

The process for replacing a US Senator is the same in every state. Governor appoints a temporary replacement, special election must occur within two years. If the term is less than two years from ending, special election is not necessary. Shapiro could appoint anyone, and at one point in time appointing the wife of the Senator who stepped down or died was extremely common, but these days its unheard of. Shapiro would probably appoint Conor Lamb or Malcolm Kenyatta or somebody like that.

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Trill_McNeal t1_j9017lb wrote

Just to clarify your point, that’s correct for PA, but it is not the same in every state. Most states allow the governor to replace the senator until a special election can be held but some have restrictions on who the governor can appoint, some require the appointee to be from the same party as the outgoing senator and some require the state house to approve the appointee. 4 states do not allow the governor to replace the senator at all and require a special election.

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/05/03/how-do-states-fill-vacancies-in-the-u-s-senate-it-depends-on-the-state/

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