Elections do not have an impact at all, unless it is something akin to an MOC leaving office prior to an election cycle. IE years ago in NJ Corey Booker came in via a special election, even than they gave him 5 and the outgoing 5. The election I believe was in Oct. thus it had no real impact on meeting the deadline date. It is the only situation that I can recall where the outgoing and incoming worked together.
The reason why this has no impact are varied.
1. MoC nominations are charged to that seat, not the MoC.
~ IE you will see people saying on their portal Sen A, and not the name. Sen A equates to the senior senator.
2. Nominations are due by Jan 31st.
~ MoCs do not take their oath until the beginning of Jan., thus, until that time the incoming has no voice in anything. It would be too difficult for states like VA where they can easily have 700 candidates to process all of them when they have only been in their position for a few weeks. VA, TX, CA, NY and I believe FL all do what is called "spreading the wealth" or "talking" This means they have so many candidates in their state that to give as many kids a nom as they can, the Cong., and 2 Sens will talk and try to not double nominate any candidate. Yes, sometimes there will be candidates with 2 noms. from those states, but on a whole it is not the norm.
3. In general, the MoC does not sit in on the interview process. The interview board typically consists of people across various backgrounds.. They may have an ALO/BGO/FFR, a state legislator, an alumni that is now working as a Defense contractor, etc. The MoC typically will be in DC doing their job, whereas, the interview is held in your home state.
~ DS interviewed in NC, and the Sen. was not there. He interviewed on Sat. 18 candidates interviewed for a slate of 10, by Tuesday we had a letter in hand stating that he received his nom. It was mailed from his office in NC, not DC. In essence, the Sen. allowed the interviewing committee to make the decision and they just rubber stamped their recommendations.