Politico is reporting that West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin will announce on Monday whether he'll run in the special election for the late Sen. Robert Byrd's seat, and siad that it is "highly likely" that he'll do so.
Manchin indicated that the only remaining obstacles left were “procedural” matters regarding who would become governor were he to vacate the position.
“I want to make sure there’s an orderly flow,” he said after the opening news conference here [in Boston] at the National Governor’s Association conference....
Manchin’s legal counsel Jonathan Deem also announced Friday that he is advising the governor to address the process for holding a special election in a special session of the state Legislature, in order to avoid any “legal challenge that would undermine or delay the ability of the people to vote in an election.”
Frustrating for Senate Dems, and for the rapidly growing ranks of unemployed people who've been cut of from their unemployment insurance because of a deadlock in the Senate, the temporary replacement for Byrd is on hold.
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.
Manchin is popular in West Viriginia, and Rassmussen poll released today shows him with double-digit leads over two potential Republican opponents. For the long term prospects of Dems keeping this seat, Manchin is the best bet. But for the short term, he's got to get that seat filled ASAP.