This is a list of all the Democratic Senators who represent states governed by Republicans (post-2006 elections). There are 17, representing 12 states. That's one-third of the current Dem caucus (51).
California: 2 (Dianne Feinstein, Barbara Boxer); Gov: Arnold Scharzenegger
Florida: Ben Nelson; Gov-elect: Charlie Crist
Hawaii: 2 (Daniel Akaka, Daniel Inouye); Gov: Linda Lingle
Indiana: Evan Bayh; Gov: Mitch Daniels
Minnesota: Amy Klobuchar (Sen-Elect); Gov: Tim Pawlenty
Missouri: Claire McKaskill (Sen-Elect); Gov: Matt Blunt.
Nebraska: Ben Nelson; Gov: Dave Heineman
Nevada: Harry Reid; Gov-elect: Jim Gibbons
North Dakota: 2 (Kent Conrad, Byron Dorgan); Gov: John Hoeven
Rhode Island: 2 (Jack Reed, Sen.-elect Whitehouse); Gov: Donald Carcieri
South Dakota; Tim Johnson; Gov: Mike Rounds
Vermont: 2 (Patrick Leahy, Sen-elect Bernie Sanders); Gov: Jim Douglas.
• Note on HI: Inouye is 82 years old.
• Note on NV: Given the scandal currently surrounding him, Gov-elect Gibbons may not serve a full term.
I didn't make a list of the Republicans, but Ohio, Oklahoma, and New Hampshire (among others) all have 2 Republican Senators and a Democratic governor, and Senator Craig Thomas of Wyoming (which has a Democratic governor) was just diagnosed with Leukemia.
I'm not sure what the current procedure is for replacing Senators in these twelve states, but it's worth looking into. We know now South Dakota's governor can appoint a Republican to serve out the remainder of Johnson's term with no problem at all.
I think it's worth seeing if we can get laws enacted mandating that, if a Senator dies or retires for health reasons without finishing his/her term, his/her replacement must come from the same party.
Note: I am only concerned about revising the laws in these twelve states. But I'd be willing to see all states enact legislation mandating this regardless of which party held the governorship.
Possible sticking points: The biggest problem is that many of these may require amendments to the various state Constitutions, which may in turn require 2/3rds majorities, which the Dems don't have in most states. I could see a situation in which a Senator forced to resign for corruption or indictment pretended that he/she was resigning for health reasons in order to preserve the seat (I see Tom deLay now: "I have cancer, CANCER I tell ya! I AM the cancer!") The other problem would be random party-switching, which could probably be taken care of (e.g. appointee must have been elected as a Democrat in the most recent election).
Does legislation like this sound Constitutional? Is it worth pursuing? (I'm obviously arguing yes, given our one-vote majority and the scare today.) Would it take a Constitutional amendment? What are people's thoughts? Any state experts out there?