If the Democrats retain the Senate, Inouye will continue to serve as PPT as the most senior Democrat, serving since 1963, with the second, Leahy, entered the chamber 12 years later.
But if the Republicans would take a control, who'd be the next PPT? Lugar and Hatch were sworn-in the same day (January 1977) and according to the most sources, Lugar have a seniority edge, thus is a presumed PPT of GOP-controlled Senate. However, as I was reading wikipedia, I found this, granted, one year old,
link.
So, can someone familiar with a seniority issues explain it to me? I'd still say Lugar, but what if it would be openly questioned?
