Lesser of two evils (though considering the current state of the two main political parties it’s now a choice between useless men and Quislings and the party of Satan).
Historically one of the consequences, or maybe even an intended feature, of the 17th Amendment was to neuter independent and regional parties.
Before the 17th Amendment a State or regional political party could hope to be significant nationally simply because of legal political success in the legislature, influencing the closing of Senators even if not being dominant enough to actually choose them. The 17th undercut the ability of these lesser political parties to not represent wasted votes relative to supporting either of the big two.
This is similar to another among the many consequences of the 17th, including such monumental turds as changing the relationship between the States and the Court, likewise delivering influence previously held by State legislatures over to the two big political parties — itself a precursor to party platforms essentially replacing the Constitution as amended with the generous help of the Court as transpired under FDR and later rubber stamped by Eisenhower.
Excellent point!