Rab’s World

Interesting election this time. All fresh faces but with high political positions as far as Democrats and Republicans are concerned.

Let’s take the first scenario. The U.S. Senate.

The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral United States Congress. Each U.S state is represented by two senators, rather basing the number of senators on population. This ensures equal representation of for each state in the Senate. Senators serve six-year terms that are staggered, so that every two years, a third of all Senate seats would be up for election. So … 50 states X 2 senators each = 100 members. District of Columbia and U.S. territories and possessions [colonies?] do not have representation of this nature at all.

House and Senate vacancies: How are they filled?

Stats right now:
Democratic Party
(49 Members*)

Republican Party
(49 Members)

Independent - Bernie Sanders - [Vermont]
(1 member)
Independent Democratic - Joe Lieberman [Connecticut]
(1 member)
(* Both independents caucus with Democrats, for a 51-49 Majority)

So..
Barack Obama - [D] - Illinois - Elected Nov 2004 ** Term January 4, 2005 - January 3, 2011

- He has not vacated his Senate seat. If he wins the U.S. presidency; then Obama must vacate his seat and allow the Democratic Governor of Illinois; Rod Blagojevich must appoint a seat successor. He can pick anybody regardless of party affiliation or family relationship.

Joseph Biden - [D] - Delaware - Elected Nov 2002 ** Term January 3, 2003 - January 3, 2009
On August 23, 2008, the Democratic nominee for President, Barack Obama, announced that Biden would be joining him on the ticket as the Vice Presidential nominee. Delaware law allows Biden to run for Vice President and Senator at the same time, so he would keep the seat should the ticket lose. If Biden is elected Vice President, the Governor of Delaware would appoint a replacement until a special election can take place. Depending on the date of Biden’s resignation from the Senate, his successor would be appointed by either the current governor (Democrat Ruth Ann Minner, a Democrat) or her own (likely Democratic) successor.

John McCain - [R] - Arizona - Elected Nov 2004 ** Term January 4, 2005 - January 3, 2011

In Arizona, the governor, Democrat Janet Napolitano, has to pick someone from the same party, should John McCain win on November 4. Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, a Democrat, would have to appoint a Republican to finish out John McCain’s term until 2010. Napolitano’s term as governor expires in 2010 and she can’t run for re-election.

The case of the Alaska governor:

Sarah Palin - [R] - Alaska - elected in November 2006; her term will expire in January, 2011. If she becomes vice-president; the Lt. Governor, Sean Parnell will replace her as governor until the term ends and an election comes up.

There really isn’t a promotion system, the choices are usually political in nature, though I am sure that there are some politicians in both states who are starting to jockey for position should it become available.

NPR report - Audio -

**** UPDATE: The election has taken place and the Senate balance sheet has changed. Also a corruption probe is under way involving the Democratic Governor of Illinois; Rod Blagojevich and the criminal allegations connected to filling Pres-Elect Obama’s seat.