Had he lasted until July 3rd, no election would have been necessary.
Byrd’s current term expires on January 3, 2013. Under West Virginia state law on handling Senate vacancies, “if the vacancy occurs less than two years and six months before the end of the term, the Governor appoints someone to fill the unexpired term and there is no election”. Otherwise, Manchin would appoint an interim replacement, and an special election would be held in November to determine who held the seat in 2011 and 2012.
As it is, a new election will take place and I bet that seat is in play.
Since de mortibus nil nisi bene, I’ll remember his anti-war speeches. Those were good – in that long time ago he delivered them.
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7 comments
June 28, 2010 at 10:09 am
PamelaofthePoconos
How neat!
Karma continues to elude the empowered ones.
Wonder what backroom deal they’ll fly to get around this.
June 28, 2010 at 10:40 am
Dario
Did he die early or late? I’m not sure it was early.
June 28, 2010 at 11:18 am
hennie1
I thought he has been dead. The Dems have been playing weekend at Bernie’s.
June 28, 2010 at 3:00 pm
edgeoforever
If they did, they surely are bad at it.
June 28, 2010 at 2:59 pm
edgeoforever
Depends of the point of view. For the dems who could have have a Dem appointment till the end of the term, had he lived until July 3rd, it was too early.
June 28, 2010 at 11:14 pm
Dario
Election is planned for 2012, but I expect the GOP to sue for an earlier election.
June 28, 2010 at 8:36 pm
DeniseVB
RIP Senator Byrd.