With regards to Lex's motivations for running for state senate (not that I watch the show):
He might just have run to start building up his resume, in essence, so that when he goes for higher offices later, he looks like he cares more about the little people, or something ike that.
That's as good a guess as any. And I think it might've played better if they hadn't had Lex acting like he was running for something major, and Lionel concerned about Lex getting too much power. Not that they've been terribly consistent about what Lionel wants for Lex to achieve.
I mean, my orthodontist was a state senator. It's a part-time position. It's a good stepping stone to future political endeavors, but it's not exactly a position of power.
Well, they mentioned more than once "Topeka" which is the capital of something that is not the United States.
Also... it doesn't make sense that they would be so concerned that Luthor would run for State Senator. In such office he has effectively less power and more restrictions than before.
I watched an episode in this storyline the other day (the one in which it come sout that Martha accepted the dosh from Lionel) and a newspaper headline uses the term 'State Senator.'
My guess would be that Lex and Lionel both see this as a starting point for a political career for Lex. And that the writers are confused or couldn't be bothered to research how people get to be state senators.
More.
'The Governor of Kansas then offered Jonathan's seat to Martha Kent' - is this the procedure for a Federal Senator?
When a US Senate seat becomes vacant unexpectedly (such as through the death or resignation of a Senator), many states give the governor the power to name a replacement to serve until an election can be held. Senator Menendez of New Jersey was appointed to his seat early this year, for instance, when the previous holder of that seat (Jon Corzine) resigned to become Governor and named Menendez as his replacement.
Not every state does this, though, and I would be very, very surprised if any state allowed the Governor to appoint someone to the state legislature.
In "Fanatic" when Jonathan is in the hospital Clark asks Lex "Why is some State Senate seat so improtant to you"
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