Senators used to be picked out by the state legislatures but now they've been voted in by the people of the state.

Yes. The Senators were supposed to look out for the interests of the state and the representatives advocate for individuals. But states were more competitive in the beginning, and more rural. Considering the quality of state legislators we've seen lately, I don't see them doing a better job choosing than the at-large population, and since big cities are overrepresented in state legislatures now, giving the whole state a voice somewhat makes up for the big blue city effect.

https://greatawakening.win/p/11SKGivuYY/x/c/4DvnyebqHmY