Gov. Joe Manchin (D-WV) told Politico that he will declare on Monday what his intentions are on whether to run in the likely special election this year to succeed the late Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd — and that he is likely to run.
Manchin also said that only “procedural” issues remain as an obstacle, as the state sorts out its unclear laws on who would succeed him as governor if he were to be elected to higher office. The state is also in the middle of sorting out its unclear laws on a special Senate election, too, after Manchin secured a legal opinion from state Attorney General Darrell McGraw that one could go forward this year.
Manchin also appeared on MSNBC this morning, and said that the legislature had a responsibility to come back into a special session and clarify the laws “as quickly as possible” on how the election would be held, and who would succeed him as governor. Manchin reaffirmed that the timeline for him appointing an interim Senator could be placed on hold while these matters are handled.
He also said that it is “highly likely” he would run in the election: “I want to serve my state to the highest possible position I can — a lot of important things, not just for my state but for this nation. I look forward to having the opportunity to serve.”
A Rasmussen poll released this morning showed the popular Manchin leading two potential Republican candidates by double-digit margins, in a state that John McCain had carried by 56%-43% in 2008.
Late Update: Manchin’s legal counsel Jonathan Deem has released a statement formally advising Manchin to call a special session of the legislature for next week:
“No two lawyers agree on when the election may take place or how the process should be handled.
“It is especially clear to me, now that the Attorney General has officially said that he disagrees with the Secretary of State, that the only way to finally put this issue to rest is for the Governor to call a special session.
“If the Legislature does not clarify its intent, the State risks a legal challenge that would undermine or delay the ability of the people to vote in an election.
