Manchin Set to Name Byrd Replacement Friday

West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin (D) will announce his temporary appointment to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the late Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd at a press conference at 2:00pm ET on Friday.

The state’s new junior senator will serve until the completion of a special election, which is expected to be held in November. The West Virginia legislature is currently meeting in special session to determine the framework for the special election. Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns that the current proposal’s compressed electoral timeline will disenfranchise military and absentee voters.

After the special election, the newly elected senator will serve out the remainder of what would have been Byrd’s ninth term.

The appointee will be in attendance for remarks and questions.