letting family members sit in for dead senators is just monarchy logic im appalled that this has even happened before
Each state gets to decide how their state is represented in Congress
This has been a common method for a long time in some states
The idea is that a Senator's sibling/spouse/parent/child knows their intentions and policies better than a political rival or a random person would. It's a pretty good way to prevent political assassinations tbh
An unelected individual getting grandfathered into a real political position due to their blood or legal relationship with a deceased elected official is not pretty good actually
Context: Darline Graham, the sister of Lindsey Graham, is sworn in to serve out his term (NPR - July 14, 2026)
Also, just to be so clear: the governor appointing someone to serve out the remainder of a Senator's term IS a common way to replace them when things like this happen, especially if it's close to a regular election. It is NOT common to appoint said Senator's sister based solely on her familial relationship, especially not when she has no political experience. And it is NOT any kind of legal requirement to fill the seat with said Senator's closest living relative.
Pretend Expert up there is muddying the waters here, as if the issue is that a governor has appointed a successor and not that this specific governor has appointed this specific successor.
This also is not "a common method". This is the first time this has happened in the senate ever.
