With special election set for Byrd’s US Senate seat, W.Va. governor to unveil his plans

W.Va. gov to announce US Senate election plans

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin is expected to announce his plans for a U.S. Senate bid this fall.

The governor has said it’s highly likely he’ll run for the seat held by the late Robert C. Byrd.

Manchin plans to reveal his intent Tuesday, following passage of special session legislation setting an Aug. 28 primary and Nov. 2 general election for the seat.

The winner of that election will take over from Carte Goodwin, Manchin’s temporary appointee to the seat. The 36-year-old former chief counsel takes his oath of office Tuesday.

Manchin has been governor since 2005, and won his second term by the largest margin for that office in the state’s history. The 62-year-old became chairman of the influential National Governors Association earlier this month.