Governor selects Byrd's successor

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

Manchin announced Goodwin's appointment yesterday during a news conference at the West Virginia Capitol.

"I am genuinely confident that Carte Goodwin will look out for West Virginia. I know West Virginia is better off since he's passed this way," Manchin said.

Manchin said the seat will always be known at the U.S. Senate seat held by Byrd, but Goodwin will "look out for West Virginia and will work hard for West Virginia."

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

"It will not be easy. There will be a lot of challenges ahead and a lot to learn in a very short period of time," Goodwin said. "I'm excited about the challenge and looking forward to it."

The 36-year-old Charleston lawyer would hold the seat until November. That's when 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 to allow for a fall vote.

Byrd was the longest-serving senator in history when he died last month at 92. Goodwin, the youngest among those considered potential choices, 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.

"We passed this torch to another generation," Manchin said. "I have been pushing young people to get involved in public service. We have passed that torch."

Last year, Manchin tapped Goodwin to lead an extensive review of the state's judiciary amid complaints from business groups and conflict-of-interest scandals involving state Supreme Court justices. Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor served as the study commission's nonvoting honorary chair.

While Manchin's general counsel, Goodwin was considered key in drafting mine rescue and safety measures passed after fatal accidents at West Virginia's Sago and Aracoma coal mines in early 2006.

The governor's former longtime chief of staff, Larry Puccio, credited Goodwin for his role in that legislation as well as such other major administration policies as the conversion of the state's troubled workers' compensation program into a private insurance company.

"He's just a brilliant attorney, and I think he's very detailed and a disciplined individual," said Puccio, who had also been considered a potential Manchin pick. "I think he's a rising star, and West Virginians would do well if they involved such individuals in the process. I think so much of him."

Goodwin already has ties to West Virginia's Senate delegation: His wife, Rochelle, is state director for Sen. Jay Rockefeller, Byrd's Democratic colleague.