Governor Manchin Chooses Former Counsel Carte Goodwin As Temporary Appointee To Fill Senate Seat

Charleston, WV – West Virginia Govenor Joe Manchin has selected Carte Goodwin, his former general counsel, as the temporary appointee to the US Senate seat of the late Robert C. Byrd. The Governor announced his choice during a press conference at the State Capital Friday afternoon.

In addition to his work as General Counsel, Goodwin has also served as Chairman of both the West Virginia School Building Authority and the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Judicial Nominations.

The West Virginia attorney, in his mid 30’s,will be the youngest member of the US Senate when he is sworn in. He’s also from a prominent West Virginia family. His uncle is a Federal judge, his cousin a US Attorney, and his recently deceased father chaired the West Virginia University Board of Governors. He even has a connection to his soon-to-be colleague Jay Rockefeller through his wife Rochelle, who works in Rockefellers’ office. Goodwin thanked the Governor for his vote of confidence during Friday’s press conference.

The West Virginia Legislature went into a special session on Thursday to modify current state election law to clarify how vacancies in the US Senate are to be filled. Thursday evening, they adopted a Senate Judiciary amendment mandating that the special primary election be held on a Saturday. Given other timelines in the proposed legislation, that could mean a special primary on August 28th.

Carte Goodwin, who’s never held office, is expected to be sworn in Tuesday.