15 of the current 100 senators were straightforwardly appointed, not fakely “elected.” Some because the previous occupant was convincingly dead, others because the previous occupant was hired by the executive branch. The former type are often spouses or relatives of the convincingly dead predecessor. Since 1990, 24 senators were appointed, and most of them enjoyed the incumbency advantage to gain “election” the next time.
The Spokane House Of Lords (sometimes described as a “city” “council”) plays this game the other way around, following the standard Manweller Rule. Occasionally a peasant is accidentally “elected”. The House of Lords mobilizes the media and oppo research to kick him out so they can appoint an acceptable aristocrat.
Polistra's Mill 