Goodwin, Carte (1974-…), served as a United States senator from June to November of 2010. West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin named Goodwin, a Democrat, to replace Senator Robert C. Byrd, who died. Prior to the Senate appointment, Goodwin had served as Manchin’s general counsel (lawyer) and as a lawyer in private practice.
Carte Patrick Goodwin was born on Feb. 27, 1974. He grew up in Jackson County, West Virginia. He received a bachelor’s degree from Marietta College in 1996 and a law degree from Emory University in 1999. After graduation, Goodwin clerked for a federal appeals court judge. He then worked for his family’s private law firm in Charleston, West Virginia. In 2005, Manchin became West Virginia’s governor and named Goodwin his general counsel. Goodwin served in the position until 2009, when he became a partner at his family’s law firm.
Senator Byrd, the longest-serving U.S. senator, died on June 28, 2010. The following month, Governor Manchin named Goodwin to fill Byrd’s seat until a special election could be held that November. Manchin himself won the election and replaced Goodwin in the Senate after resigning as governor.
