Senator Robert Byrd Dies at 92

Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV), the longest-serving congressman is U.S. history, after being hospitalized the day before, died Monday. He was 92.

The Charleston Gazette writes that he "spent much of his career as a conservative Democrat and ended it by fiercely opposing the war in Iraq and questioning the state's powerful coal industry."

Byrd's name is one of the most recognized and revered names in the state. As chairman of the Senate Appropriations committee, he steered significant funds and projects to his home state, many of which bear his name. He will forever be a giant in West Virginia's political history.

It's not yet clear whether there will be a special election this November to replace Byrd, as West Virginia's succession laws are a bit murky. The law states that if the seat has been vacated after July 3 (which is five days from now), then no special election is necessary until the end of the full term, which would be in 2012.

But the law isn't clear on when a vacancy technically occurs. It could be at the time of death, or when the Senate informs the state, or when the governor declares it. Or maybe its something else. An adviser to Gov. Joe Manchin (D) tells First Read that he doubts there will be a special election in November.

Now, with the Senate on the brink of passing a landmark Wall Street reform bill (the vote was supposed to be this week), Democrats will want Manchin to move as quickly as possible on appointing an interim replacement.

Democrats have two options in moving forward with the financial reform legislation. They can try to convince the two Democrats that didn't vote for the bill because it didn't go far enough--Sens. Russ Feingold (WI) and Maria Cantwell (WA)--to support it now. Or they can wait for Manchin to appoint a replacement.

Manchin is said to want the seat for himself, and will probably run whenever the special election is (in 2010 or 2012), but has ruled out appointing himself to the post.