The election of incumbent Senators as President and Vice President in 2008, combined with subsequent cabinet appointments, resulted in the highest number of Senate vacancies during a presidential transition period in over 60 years. Vacant seats were filled in Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, and New York, all states in which the governor appoints a temporary replacement. Controversies surrounding the replacement process in two of these states drew scrutiny and criticism of both the particular circumstances and the appointment process itself.