CAPITO EXTENDS OFFER TO WORK WITH CARTE GOODWIN IN CONGRESS ON ISSUES IMPORTANT TO WEST VIRGINIA
Cites the selection as another political maneuver
Charleston, WV – Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito released the following statement today regarding the announcement of Carte Godwin to serve as the interim U.S. Senator from West Virginia.
I join the rest the state’s Congressional delegation in congratulating Carte Goodwin on his appointment to the U.S. Senate. And, I extend a hand of working friendship and cooperation to him so that together we can confront the pressing problems facing our nation and state.
While I come from the other side of the political aisle, I am optimistic that together we can work to improve our economy, protect and promote our state’s vital energy industry, and find real solutions to getting people back to work instead of more borrowing and spending like the failed stimulus bill that passed in 2009. As I travel the 2nd Congressional District, people’s highest concern is finding or keeping a job, and all of us in public office must make employment our main focus.
Today’s announcement by Governor Joe Manchin comes at what I hope is the end of a chaotic and confusing period in our state over our succession laws for U.S. Senate. The state legislature is working on a band aid solution for this crisis, and it is my hope that with diligence and transparency they create a fair fix that will allow for a Special Election as soon as possible including either a Primary or General Election on November 2nd. It is also important that the process provides adequate time for candidates to be able to file and wage a campaign for this seat and not be constrained by a narrow timeline to accommodate the wishes of one potential candidate over another.
It is troubling that upon the news of Senator Robert Byrd’s passing, the three elected executive officers of our state government who play a significant role in determining the process and timing of a Special Election – Governor, Secretary of State and Attorney General – did not meet and work together on a course of action to address the known problems in the law. It is apparent that many elected officials, and particularly the person ultimately charged with calling a Special Election, have been more focused on political maneuvers to further their own political ambitions before fulfilling the obligations of their office on behalf of the people they were elected to serve.
Based on the person chosen from the rumored field of candidates to fill the U.S. Senate vacancy on an interim basis, it is once again evident that political ambition was the key factor in the selection. Governor Manchin followed the same path as Florida Governor Charlie Crist did last August when he appointed his former staffer for the sole purpose of protecting his own desire to run for the U.S. Senate seat.
In the coming months, West Virginians deserve a voice in the U.S. Senate who will be a fierce advocate for our state and that will require a person who has the experience and determination to stand-up to the leadership of his party and the President on important issues like the Obama Administration’s assault on coal. I have been on the frontlines in this battle, and I am eager to have our state’s Senators join me so that we can work in a bi-partisan manner to ensure our state’s energy industry continues to thrive and the actions of politicians in Washington do not cost West Virginians their jobs.
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