W.Va. gov says he will run for late Robert C. Byrd’s unexpired term in the US Senate

W.Va. gov will run to fill Byrd’s US Senate seat

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin says he will run for the U.S. Senate to fill the late Robert C. Byrd’s unexpired term.

Manchin’s announcement Tuesday ended speculation about whether the popular Democratic governor would forgo the last years of his second term for a chance to serve the last two-plus years of Byrd’s term.

The governor’s announcement came Tuesday after he and legislative leaders resolved their differences over the succession process.

The legislation calls for an Aug. 28 primary and Nov. 2 general election for the seat.

The winner of that election would 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.