Hey, better a dead Democrat than a live Republican! ; D

Seriously, this same thing happened a while back (in the 2000 election), when Missouri's Democratic incumbent governor (or was it Senator?) Mel Carnahan was killed in a plane crash shortly before the election. He went on to beat John Ashcroft - who was still alive enough to be appointed to Bush's cabinet - in the general election.   His widow, Jean (sp?) then filled his seat. (I think she was appointed at first, then later confirmed via election.)