Carte Goodwin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carte Goodwin
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Official portrait, 2010
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| United States Senator from West Virginia |
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| In office July 16, 2010 – November 15, 2010 |
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| Appointed by | Joe Manchin |
| Preceded by | Robert Byrd |
| Succeeded by | Joe Manchin |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Carte Patrick Goodwin
February 27, 1974 Mount Alto, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Rochelle Goodwin |
| Relations | Joseph Goodwin (uncle) Booth Goodwin (cousin) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Marietta College (BA) Emory University (JD) |
Carte Patrick Goodwin (born February 27, 1974) is an American lawyer and politician. He served as a U.S. Senator for West Virginia in 2010. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Goodwin was chosen by Governor Joe Manchin on July 16, 2010. He filled the Senate seat after Senator Robert Byrd passed away. Goodwin decided not to run for election to keep the seat. He left office on November 15, 2010. This was when Joe Manchin was sworn in after winning the election.
Before becoming a senator, Goodwin was Governor Manchin's main legal advisor. In 2008, Executive magazine called him one of the "Ten Most Successful Young Executives in West Virginia." In 2010, Time magazine listed him as one of the top "40 under 40" rising stars in American politics. After his time in the Senate, Goodwin joined the law firm Frost Brown Todd. From 2011 to 2021, he also served as a commissioner. This role was on the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission. He was reappointed to this commission in 2023.
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Growing Up and School
Carte Goodwin was born on February 27, 1974. His parents were Ellen and Stephen Patrick Goodwin. He grew up in a small town called Mount Alto, West Virginia. His family is well-known in West Virginia politics.
Goodwin's father led the board of directors for West Virginia University. His uncle, Joseph Robert Goodwin, was a Chief Judge. He worked for the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
Goodwin finished Ripley High School in 1992. He then went to Marietta College. He graduated with high honors in 1996. He earned a degree in philosophy. In 1999, Goodwin earned his law degree. He studied at Emory University School of Law. He was a top student there.
His Career Path
After law school, Goodwin worked for a judge. He was a law clerk for Judge Robert Bruce King. This was from 1999 to 2000. Judge King worked for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. In 2000, Goodwin joined his family's law firm. It was called Goodwin & Goodwin. He worked there until 2005. He returned to the firm in 2009.
In 2004, Goodwin helped with Joe Manchin's election campaign. Manchin was running for governor of West Virginia. Goodwin was later named chairman of the West Virginia School Building Authority by Manchin. From 2005 to 2009, he was Manchin's chief legal advisor.
As the governor's lawyer, Goodwin helped write new safety rules for mines. This was after serious accidents. These included the Aracoma and Sago Mines. In June 2009, Manchin asked Goodwin to lead a group. This group studied how to improve West Virginia's court system.
In 2011, Senator Harry Reid appointed Goodwin to a special commission. It was the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission. He served a two-year term. He was reappointed to this role several times until 2021. He was reappointed again in 2023.
Serving in the U.S. Senate
On July 16, 2010, Governor Manchin appointed Goodwin to the U.S. Senate. This seat became open when Senator Robert Byrd passed away. Goodwin was appointed until a special election could be held. He said he would not run for the seat himself. He planned to leave office once a new senator was elected. Many people thought Goodwin was a temporary choice for Manchin. Manchin later won the special election.
Before he was officially sworn in, Goodwin disagreed with other Democrats in the Senate. He said he would not support their cap-and-trade bill. This bill was about controlling pollution.
Goodwin was sworn into the Senate on July 20, 2010. He quickly worked with other Democrats. They passed a bill to extend unemployment benefits. This bill had been blocked before. He also voted to approve Elena Kagan. She became an associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Goodwin's term ended on November 15, 2010. This was when Joe Manchin became a U.S. Senator. During his short time, Goodwin served on several important committees:
- Committee on Armed Services
- Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
- Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support
- Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
- Committee on the Budget
- Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
- Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety
- Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging
- Committee on Rules and Administration
After the Senate
Goodwin was considered as a possible candidate for Senator Jay Rockefeller's seat. Rockefeller decided not to run for re-election in 2014. However, Goodwin said he would not run. He mentioned his family as the reason.
After leaving the Senate, Goodwin joined the law firm Frost Brown Todd. He has been a leader in their Charleston, West Virginia office. He also helps lead the firm's national Appellate Practice Group. As of June 2023, Goodwin is still a partner at the firm.
His Family Life
Carte Goodwin is married to Rochelle Goodwin. They have two children, a son named Wesley and a daughter named Anna. Rochelle Goodwin used to work for West Virginia's U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller. She was his state director.
Goodwin's cousin, Booth Goodwin, was appointed United States Attorney. This was for the Southern District of West Virginia. President Barack Obama made this appointment.
