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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > February > 24 > Entry
Husted: Change how Ohio U.S. Senate vacancies filled
With the ongoing controversy in Illinois in mind, State Sen. Jon Husted, R-Kettering, plans to introduce legislation to change how a vacant U.S. Senate seat would be filled in Ohio.
Husted said on Tuesday, Feb. 24, that he will introduce legislation that calls for a U.S. Senate seat to be filled by a special election. Now the governor may fill such a vacancy by appointment until the next regular election.
“A vacancy in the United States Senate is incredibly important and shouldn’t be left to the discretion of just one person,” Husted said in a press release. “I am hopeful that this legislation would ensure Ohio voters have a stronger voice in selecting who represents them in the U.S. Senate.”
The press release cited the “recent appointment debacle” in Illinois where now impeached former Gov. Rod Blagojevich appointed fellow Democrat Roland Burris to the Senate. It cited “new revelations that appointed Sen. Roland Burris may not have been completely forthcoming about the conditions for his appointment.”
The legislation Husted plans to introduce “would mirror Ohio law” regarding how a vacancy in a U.S. House seat is filled in Ohio.
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Comments
By Alice
February 24, 2009 11:59 AM | Link to this
I support this. The Illinois gov screwed this one up and the congressional dem leadership screwed it up even more. This is at the same time Paterson is making a fiasco out of filling Hillary’s seat. Party leadership should prefer special elections if for no other reason than to take the pressure of screwing up off of themselves. I understand where you’re coming from Rob and it’s sad when we have to say that we CAN’T trust the judgment of our elected governors. It’s just politics as usual for politicians.By Rob
February 24, 2009 10:56 AM | Link to this
“Shouldn’t be left to the discretion of just one person”? It’s actually not when you think about it - the regsitered voters of the state elect the Governor - and we all get a say in who gets that job. Selecting Senators for unfilled vacancies is just another part of the Governors job. This ought to enter into the voting decision as to who you might elect for Governor. By it’s very nature the Senate is intended to be a little more insulated from the pressure of instant political pressure. That’s why the terms are 6 years and not 2. Doesn’t the good Senator from Dublin have anything else to worry about?