While not everyone in the Mountain State may be familiar with his name, Carte P. Goodwin is West Virginia’s newest U.S. Senator.
We congratulate Goodwin on his temporary appointment to the U.S. Senate seat left vacant due to the passing of history’s longest serving member of Congress, Robert C. Byrd. Goodwin, who is currently an attorney with the West Virginia law firm of Goodwin & Goodwin, LLP, will become the youngest sitting member of the U.S. Senate at age 36 when he is sworn into office.
While a newcomer to the national stage, Goodwin has been actively involved in West Virginia politics for several years. He served from 2005 to 2009 as general counsel to Gov. Joe Manchin. During his time as general counsel, Goodwin also chaired the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Judicial Nominations. In addition, Goodwin also chaired the West Virginia School Building Authority and served as a member of the state Consolidated Public Retirement Board, according to the governor’s office.
Following his return to private practice in 2009, Goodwin was appointed to chair the established Independent Commission on Judicial Reform, along with former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Conner. The commission was tasked with evaluating the need for broad reform to West Virginia’s judicial system. Prior to his work in the governor’s office, Goodwin also served as a law clerk for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
While many were considered for the temporary appointment, including former Gov. Gaston Caperton and former Gov. Bob Wise, Goodwin is now charged with continuing Byrd’s work in Washington — at least until a special election is held to fill the remainder of Byrd’s unexpeired term.
Goodwin has indicated he will not run for the unexpired term. Manchin says it is highly likely that he will. Rep. Shelly Moore Capito, R-W.Va., appears to be the leading GOP candidate for the special election.
However, until the special election is held, Goodwin is the Mountain State’s newest senator. No, he isn’t Robert C. Byrd. No one can or will ever replace Robert C. Byrd. Byrd will forever be remembered as one of the true giants of history. His incredible 52 years of service in the U.S. Senate will go unmatched for years to come.
While Goodwin cannot truly replace Byrd, he can continue his work for the betterment of West Virginia — even if his term of service proves to be only for a few months. Already, the freshman senator faces a laundry list of challenges in Washington, including an anticipated vote to extend unemployment benefits for millions of out of work Americans.
We wish Goodwin the best of luck during his temporary appointment to the U.S. Senate. We ask that he take the coalfields of southern West Virginia into consideration with every vote that is cast, and that he continue to fight for projects deemed by Byrd as a priority for southern West Virginia, including the King Coal Highway and the Coalfields Expressway.
Editorials
July 20, 2010
Meet Senator Goodwin: New lawmaker, big challenges
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