West Virginia ? Gov. Joe Manchin appointed former chief counsel Carte Goodwin, a member of a prominent West Virginia family, on Friday to succeed the late U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd.

Manchin announced Goodwin’s appointment during a packed afternoon news conference at the state Capitol.

“I know he’s going to make us all proud,” Manchin said. “I know that West Virginia is better off because he’s passed this way.”

Manchin said while the U.S. Senate seat will always be known as the one Byrd held for more than half a century, “I am truly confident that Carte Goodwin will look out for West Virginians.”

Goodwin, 36, a Democrat, is expected to be sworn in as a senator on Tuesday.