On Senator Johnson’s Health and Political Power

By now, you have likely heard about Senator Tim Johnson from South Dakota having been hospitalized due to bleeding in his brain. Questions about his condition have lead to speculation that the door could be opened to a replacement being appointed by the Republican governor of South Dakota.

Considering the impact of such an appointment — presumably shifting control of the Senate back into Republican hands — you’ve got to wonder if it’s time to revisit how replacements gain seats in Congress.