The governor of the U.S. state of West Virginia has selected his former chief counsel Carte Goodwin, a member of a prominent West Virginia family, as the interim successor to the late U.S. Senator Robert Byrd.
Governor Joe Manchin announced Goodwin's appointment Friday during a news conference at the state Capitol.
Manchin said the seat will always be known as Byrd's seat, but touted Goodwin as a "worthy replacement."
The 36-year-old lawyer is to be sworn in on Tuesday. Goodwin said he is honored by the appointment and will try his best to emulate Byrd's work ethic and commitment to law, the Constitution and West Virginia.
Goodwin will serve in the U.S. Senate until the midterm elections in November, when voters will elect someone to hold the seat until Byrd's term ends in January 2013.
Governor Manchin has said he is considering a run for the Senate seat.
One of Goodwin's first votes will likely be to help Democrats pass stalled legislation to extend jobless benefits to the long-term unemployed.
Some information for this report provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
