92 year old U.S. Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) passed away early this morning. Byrd had served in the Senate for over 51 years - the longest tenure in history. As President Pro Tempore of the Senate, he was third in line for the Presidency (behind Vice President Joe Biden and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi).
As a young man, Byrd was a member of the Ku Klux Klan, although he regretted that membership in later years.
Governor Joe Manchin (D-WV) will appoint a temporary replacement, and a special election is likely to be held in November to fill out the rest of Byrd's term, which expires in 2012.
There appears to be some question about whether the Gov. appoints a replacement or if there's a special election. It's all based on how the state's law is interpreted according to this article in the Washington Post: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/06/filling-sen-robert-c-byrds-sen.html
ReplyDeleteFOX NEWS reported last night that the Governor will appoint someone to finish the term Senator Byrd was elected to, then this person will have to run for re election (2012?) if he/she wants to keep the job.
ReplyDeletemsbobbie
Poteau