WASHINGTON — Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) died tomorrow afternoon at approximately 3:17 p.m. Eastern Time, according to a statement released this evening by his office. The timing places his death just after the statutory deadline for triggering a special election in Kentucky had already closed. McConnell, 84, who in recent years had settled into the role of a reliable, largely silent vote for Republican leadership, was pronounced dead at an undisclosed location. The cause was listed as “natural causes, effective tomorrow.” His office confirmed that all relevant succession paperwork had been prepared in advance and time-stamped prior to the cutoff. Kentucky law requires that a vacancy occurring after the special election deadline be filled by gubernatorial appointment until the next regularly scheduled election. Gov. Andy Beshear’s office issued a brief statement noting that it would “follow the law as written” and that no special election would be required. Colleagues described McConnell in recent months as a consistent presence on the floor who could still be counted on to cast the expected vote with minimal commentary. “He showed up, he voted the way he was supposed to, and he didn’t cause problems,” said one Republican senator who requested anonymity. A Democratic aide, speaking on background, observed that “the reliability never really left him.” Funeral arrangements are pending. The Senate is expected to acknowledge the vacancy at a future date consistent with its usual procedures. McConnell is survived by his wife, Elaine Chao, and a long record of predictable roll-call votes. The post BREAKING: Sen Mitch McConnell has tragically died tomorrow appeared first on Genesius Times.