Carte Goodwin

Carte Patrick Goodwin (born February 27, 1974) is an American politician and attorney who currently serves as the junior United States Senator from West Virginia, as a member of the Democratic Party. Goodwin was appointed by West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin on July 16, 2010, having been appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of Robert Byrd. A special election will be held on November 2, 2010, to determine who will serve the remaining two years in Byrd's term. Goodwin took the oath of office on July 20, 2010.

Prior to his appointment as United States Senator, Goodwin served as Governor Manchin's chief counsel during his first term in office, before leaving to return to his private practice as an attorney. Goodwin also served as the chairman of the West Virginia School Building Authority, under Manchin, and as chair of the Independent Commission on Judicial Reform. A native of Mount Alto, West Virginia, Goodwin graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio, before moving to Charleston, West Virginia with his family.

Goodwin is currently the youngest member of the United States Senate, after being appointed to fill the seat of the then-oldest member of the United States Senate.

Early life and education
Goodwin was born to Stephen Patrick Goodwin and Ellen Carte Gibson and raised in rural Mount Alto, West Virginia. Goodwin graduated from Ripley High School in 1992. Goodwin graduated magna cum laude from Marietta College in 1996 where he earned a B.A. in Philosophy. He then attended Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, graduating in 1999. Goodwin is a member of the honor society Order of the Coif.

Law career
After graduating from law school, Goodwin clerked for 4th Circuit Judge Robert King. In 2000 he joined the family law firm, Goodwin & Goodwin, which was founded shortly after the end of World War II, working there until 2005. He rejoined the firm in 2009.

Political career
Goodwin served as Governor Joe Manchin's chief counsel during Manchin's first term in office from 2005 to 2009, leaving to return to private practice. He was at one time the chairman (appointed by Manchin) of the West Virginia School Building Authority.

In June 2009, Manchin appointed Goodwin chair of the Independent Commission on Judicial Reform, which studied the need for changes in the judicial system in West Virginia.

On July 16, 2010, Manchin appointed Goodwin to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of Senator Robert Byrd, until a special election could choose a permanent successor. Goodwin stated that he would not seek election to the seat in his own right, and that he would leave office once a new senator had been elected. Observers suggested that Goodwin had been appointed as a placeholder for Manchin, who had himself expressed interest in running for the seat.

Goodwin was sworn into the Senate on July 20, 2010, and quickly joined with fellow Democrats to pass an extension of unemployment benefits.

Goodwin's political future after his term expires is unclear. While Goodwin has stated he will not run for election to the Senate, he has been mentioned as a possible candidate for U.S. Representative from West Virginia, as a challenger to Rep. Shelley Moore Capito.

Personal life
Sen. Goodwin's wife Rochelle works for West Virginia's now-senior U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller, as Rockefeller's state director. The Goodwins have one child, a son, Wes.

In 2008, Goodwin was named one of the "Ten Most Successful Young Executives in West Virginia" by Executive magazine.

Many of Goodwin's family members are lawyers. His uncle is Joseph Robert Goodwin, chief judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. His late father chaired the West Virginia University board of governors.

External resources

 * United States Senator Carte Goodwin, U.S. Senate site.
 * Official bio