FAIRMONT —
After a couple of weeks of questions about how to fill the Senate seat of the late Robert C. Byrd, West Virginians are now looking down the road at similar confusion about filling the governor’s office.
Gov. Joe Manchin is running for the Senate seat in November, and should he win, he would leave Charleston for Washington with two years remaining on his term as governor.
It is clear that Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin would become acting governor under the West Virginia Constitution — holding that position, as well as his state Senate position.
State law also says that if more than a year remains on the governor’s term, then the acting governor must call a special election. But the law does not specify how quickly the special election must be held.
Tomblin last week said he did not think a special election would be required until the general election in 2012, when Manchin’s term would expire. Others say the law is just not clear.
Moreover, this “special election” question is likely to be even more politically charged than the deal brokered to fill Byrd’s seat. Tomblin and several legislative leaders already have indicated they planned to run for governor in 2012, and other state leaders are eyeing the race as well.
But the issue for the public is not so different from the Senate question. Two years is simply a long time for such an important position to be filled in an interim manner.
Should Manchin win the Senate race, we would urge the acting governor to call a special election for the spring of 2011.
Let the people make the choice.
— The (Huntington) Herald-Dispatch
This editorial does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Times West Virginian editorial board.
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