Why is it that each state has 2 U.S. senators, yet we seldom hear about the second senator?

Question

I am interested in knowing if both senators are usually elected, and if so, are they elected in the same election cycle? Also, do both have equal powers? Finally, why do we have 2 senators for each state? Any other related details about the office of a U.S. senator may be offered.

Answer 1

In CA I hear about Boxer and Feinstein all the time, unfortunately, since they're not doing what I voted them into office to do namely to get rid of the sewage spew.

Answer 2

Senators are elected.  Each senator is elected for a six year term.  The junior and senior designation is simply a way of sorting out who has the most years in office.  Of course, the more senior the senator the better the committee assignments, etc.  However, other than that, their powers are identical.  

The elections cycles were set up so that every two years, one third of the Senate is up for re-election.  So it takes three two-year cycles for each senator to stand for reelection.  This was created in the Constitution to prevent a single election from being able to replace the entire legislature.  In the 1st Congress three "classes" were created the first class stood fro re-election two years later, the second class 4 years later and the third class six years later.  This then created the staggered terms we have now.  

If a member of the House of Representatives dies or resigns, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat.  If a Senator dies or resigns, state law rules.  The governor may appoint someone to fill the unexpired term ( the most common) and then a permanent senator is elected at the next regularly scheduled election.

Answer 3

Yes both senators are elected, no not in the same election cycle unless one dies or resigns creating a special election. We have 2 from each because that was how it was decided, when they made the system there were only i think 13 states, so 13 senators is two few. plus has to be even number (with vice president as the tie breaker). we hear about the other senators a lot, but sometimes hard to figure out which is which. they do not have equal powers, one is the senator and one is the "junior senator". obama and hillary are both junior senators, im sure mccain is senator. the junior senators do not get as much good positions in the senate, and have to follow the lead of the senator.