I've just heard on the radio that the charter plane carrying Democratic Sen. Paul Wellstone, his wife, his daughter, and other campaign staff has crashed in Minnesota, likely killing everyone aboard. The Washington Post reports that eight were killed. His campaign manager has confirmed that the Senator was aboard.
I've always disagreed with Wellstone's policies, but I'm saddened by this turn of events.
UPDATE: Dan Hartung dug up Minnesota law regarding the vacancy:
A major political party has the authority to fill a vacancy in nomination of that party's candidate by filing a nomination certificate with the same official who received the affidavits of candidacy for that office.
When a vacancy in nomination occurs through the death or catastrophic illness of a candidate after the 16th day before the general election, the officer in charge of preparing the ballots shall prepare and distribute a sufficient number of separate paper ballots which shall be headed with the words "OFFICIAL SUPPLEMENTAL BALLOT."
Subd. 11. Temporary appointment. The governor may make a temporary appointment to fill any vacancy. An appointee shall hold office until a successor is elected and qualified at a special election or until a successor is elected pursuant to subdivision 12.
Subd. 12. Succession by regularly elected senator. An individual who is elected to the office of United States senator for a regular six-year term when the office is vacant or is filled by an individual appointed pursuant to subdivision 11, shall also succeed to the office for the remainder of the unexpired term.
I believe Dan is correct in his interpretation; The Democratic party gets to pick a nominee to run in Wellstone's place on Nov. 5; whoever wins that election immediately takes office. Gov. Ventura will get to pick someone to hold the office until Nov. 5 only.
Posted by wasylik at October 25, 2002 01:58 PM