Byrd’s Senate successor chosen

July 17, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

CHARLESTON, W.Va.

Gov. Joe Manchin appointed former chief counsel Carte Goodwin, a member of a prominent West Virginia family, on Friday to succeed the late U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd.

Manchin announced Goodwin’s appointment during a packed afternoon news conference at the state Capitol.

“I know he’s going to make us all proud,” Manchin said. “I know that West Virginia is better off because he’s passed this way.”

Manchin said though the U.S. Senate seat always will be known as the one Byrd held for more than half a century, “I am truly confident that Carte Goodwin will look out for West Virginians.”

Goodwin is expected to be sworn in as a senator Tuesday.

“My responsibility now becomes to work hard every day to maintain the trust of the people of West Virginia,” Goodwin said to a crowd thick with media, public officials and well-wishers. “There will be a lot of challenges ahead, and a lot to learn in a very short period of time. But I’m confident that I’m up to the challenge.”

The 36-year-old Charleston lawyer would hold the seat until November. The governor wants general-election voters to decide who will serve the final two years of Byrd’s term. The Legislature has begun a special session to consider a proposal from Manchin setting up a fall vote.

Goodwin ruled out running for the seat Friday. Manchin has said it’s highly likely that he will seek the seat at election but has yet to announce his plans.

Byrd was history’s longest-serving member of Congress when he died last month at age 92. During Friday’s announcement, Manchin handed Goodwin a pocket-size copy of the U.S. Constitution that Byrd inscribed and gave to the governor before his death — the same red-covered version that Byrd would famously pull out and wave during floor and stump speeches.

Goodwin worked on Manchin’s 2004 campaign for governor before becoming his chief lawyer. He served in that post until shortly after Manchin began his second term in 2009, leaving for his family’s law firm.

When sworn in next week, Goodwin will become the youngest sitting senator, according to the Senate historian’s office. The next youngest, Sen. George LeMieux of Florida, is 41, and the average age of senators is 66.