Young Democrat Nabs Byrd’s Senate Seat ... for Now

Posted on Jul 16, 2010

goodwingoodwin.com

Carte Goodwin’s in, but he may soon be out: West Virginia’s Gov. Joe Manchin may be looking to take the late Sen. Robert Byrd’s seat come November.

West Virginia’s Gov. Joe Manchin III has picked a successor to the late U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd, and the new recruit is a young whippersnapper at that. He’s 36-year-old Carte Goodwin, and he’s also a Democrat, but his party can’t get too excited yet: Manchin is preparing for a special election to be held in November to decide who’ll fill the position on a more permanent basis, and the governor himself may enter the race.  —KA

Los Angeles Times:

Goodwin, the former chief legal counsel to the Democratic governor, gives Democrats in the Senate a crucial 59th vote just as they prepare to push for passage of a key priority, an extension of unemployment benefits.

[...] Goodwin’s time at the Capitol is expected to be brief. Manchin soon may sign pending legislation authorizing a special election to allow voters to choose a new senator to complete Byrd’s unexpired term and serve until 2013. Manchin, 62, has said he plans to run in that election.

Read more

More Below the Ad

New and Improved Comments

If you have trouble leaving a comment, review this help page. Still having problems? Let us know. If you find yourself moderated, take a moment to review our comment policy.