W.Va. AFL-CIO asks Gov. Joe Maintain to appoint himself to Byrd’s Senate seat; he says no

W.Va. AFL-CIO asks governor to take Byrd’s seat

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia chapter of the AFL-CIO is asking Gov. Joe Manchin to appoint himself to fill the Senate seat left empty by the death of Democrat Robert C. Byrd.

The union on Tuesday released a resolution adopted by its Executive Board calling on Manchin to take the seat.

Manchin spokeswoman Sara Payne Scarbo says the Democratic governor appreciates the union’s confidence but will not appoint himself.

Byrd, a Senate icon, died a week ago at age 92. Manchin has not yet said whom he will appoint to replace him or when he might decide. There are also questions about whether Manchin’s pick would have to face a special election before Byrd’s term expires on Jan. 3, 2013.