Some political observers in West Virginia believe it won’t be long before we start hearing from Democrats who intend to run for the U.S. Senate seat that will be open in 2014.
U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller announced on Friday that he will not seek reelection in two years. As of right now only Republican Second District Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito has announced her campaign, which she did back in November, two months before Rockefeller’s announcement.
But now with Rockefeller out, the speculation is fevered and furious regarding who may seek the Democratic Party’s nomination in the May 2014 primary election.
Charleston attorney Carte Goodwin says he would be flattered to be mentioned as a possibility. Goodwin served in the Senate for four months in 2010 after the death of Sen. Robert C. Byrd. He was appointed by then Gov. Joe Manchin and was there until Manchin won the seat.
Goodwin says he knows the commitment it takes.
“Needless to say, from my brief tenure in the Senate serving with Sen. Rockefeller and my four years of service with Gov. Manchin in state government, I’ve seen first-hand the level of passion and dedication it takes to be an effective public servant,” Goodwin said.
Goodwin stopped short late last week from saying he would definitely be a candidate in 2014.
“I’m drawn to public service and will always remain interested in it, but there will be plenty of time for people to make decisions like that including myself,” Goodwin said.
Reports indicate former two-term Gov. Gaston Caperton may be willing to announce his intentions as early as Monday. Caperton is scheduled to attend the inauguration of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.
Other names that have been mentioned include 3rd District Congressman Nick Rahall and state Supreme Court Justice Robin Davis.