Actually, the rules on the governor replacing a vacancy in the Senate vary from state to state.
For instance, I think it's Arizona where a member of the same party must be appointed. Other states differ.
Calling the SD constitutional expert!!
Scary thought. If that's the case in SD, we might have to say hello once again to "Senator Daschle."
Yes,I understand that.I think that many states have a Governor's appointment provision and other states have various other methods.
An interesting sidenote on the subject...in '04,when our (MA) esteemed junior Senator was destined to become President,the (95% RAT)state legislature changed our replacement method...which had for many years been "Governor's appointment"...because the governor was a Republican.
Yet another benefit of living in a one Party state!