© 2026 WUKY
background_fid.jpg
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Massie on interest in hypothetical Senate race: 'Not really'

El legislador Thomas Massie, republicano de Kentucky, de un debate de la Televisión Educativa de Kentucky (KET), el lunes 4 de mayo de 2026 en Lexington, Kentucky (AP Foto/Jon Cherry)
Jon Cherry/AP Photo/Jon Cherry
/
FR171965 AP
El legislador Thomas Massie, republicano de Kentucky, de un debate de la Televisión Educativa de Kentucky (KET), el lunes 4 de mayo de 2026 en Lexington, Kentucky (AP Foto/Jon Cherry)

Outgoing Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie is dismissing the idea he would run in a hypothetical special election for Sen. Mitch McConnell's seat, should McConnell be incapable of serving.

Speculation has swirled over McConnell's condition, as the longtime senator remained hospitalized for weeks with little information made public.

This week McConnell released a picture of himself and his wife, and an explanation for his stay. But that hasn't stopped discussion — online or otherwise — about what might happen if the commonwealth were forced to hold a special election for his seat before the end of his term.

Asked about the widely discussed idea that he might jump in that hypothetical race, Rep. Massie told TMZ — in a brief, lighthearted interview — that he prefers the lower chamber.

"The problem with being in the Senate is they don't have a discharge petition, and that's how I got the Epstein Files Transparency Act passed, so I'd have to really consider giving up the power that we have here in the people's house to go over there and serve with a bunch of geriatric folks that should be in nursing homes," he said.

"Not interested?" the interviewer asked.

"Not really," Massie replied.

Massie did echo Gov. Andy Beshear's statements urging McConnell to hold a press conference, do interviews, or otherwise provide evidence that he's able to continue his Senate work while recovering.

Beshear, meanwhile, has said — if a Senate vacancy opened — he might challenge a Kentucky law that restricted his appointment powers in the constitution. The Democrat hasn't, however, elaborated on exactly what kind of action he might take in that situation and has wished the senator a speedy recovery.