Massachusetts Two Step

[Nystul]

As you say MA is overwhelmingly democrat. The desire to avoid an expensive and time consuming election so that a state doesn't lose representation seems reasonable. Even more so since it's pretty clear that the chosen senator will be the of the same party as the one who would win an election.

I don't think it is reasonable in the least for the party with legislative power to change the rules at their whim to increase their political clout. It is, however, politics as usual. It's disappointing but not surprising, and certainly not something the Republicans would be above doing if the roles were reversed.