Will Senator Byrd run for re-election?

Dave Traube

2/23/10

Project # 5

Sen. Robert C. Byrd has represented West Virginia in the United States Senate since 1959 but, with the 2012 Senate race looming, questions are emerging about his political future; will the nation’s longest serving senator run for re-election in 2012?

Byrd, who has been in poor health for a number of years, has raised few dollars for a 2012 campaign, according to the Federal Election Commission’s Web site. As of the end of 2009 Byrd has only $5,591 in net receipts, which include donations to his re-election, against a debt of $7,396.

With the election for his seat still two years away, this may not seem like a large concern for Byrd, but compare it to fellow West Virginia Sen. John Rockefeller’s total, and the $5,600 account balance becomes more interesting. Not facing re-election until 2014, Rockefeller has totaled $210,416 in receipts and does not have any debt.

The lack of funding is but one sign that Byrd may have decided not to run. Health issues have also plagued the senator for some time, including several public appearances in a wheelchair. When he came to Huntington last year to dedicate the new health center named after his late wife, Erma, he had trouble standing, and spent over a month in the hospital this past summer, as well.

Representatives for Byrd are neither confirming nor denying any speculation. Multiple calls to his offices were forwarded elsewhere and no comment was made on questions about the level of Byrd’s fund raising activity. Also, an e-mail to Keith Larkin of Byrd’s media relations department was not immediately returned and, indeed, an acknowledgement from that department did not promise a swift response.

The people who are talking about Byrd’s future admit they don’t really know.

“(Byrd’s future/fund raising) is something you would have to ask someone close to him at this point in things,” said Derek Scarbrough, an employee at the West Virginia State Democratic headquarters. “2012 isn’t really on the radar for us. Everyone here is focused on 2010.”

Some observers, like George Davis, a political science professor at Marshall University, think that while Byrd may step down and not seek re-election, he has the funds needed to run already, they are just not currently designated as campaign money. There is also some thought that current West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin could step in and take Byrd’s seat in 2012.

“My hunch is that he won’t (run for re-election),” Davis said. “He is beginning to, or already has recognized the shape he is in (physically). He got a lot of signals from the Senate when the Democrats took over, and I think the writing is on the wall for him to step down. My hunch is that he will step down and Manchin will run for his seat.”

Byrd has remained active in his senatorial duties, releasing 10 press releases in the month of February according to his Web site, mostly about improving and properly equipping the state’s fire departments.

Despite the lack of funding and recent health problems, if the 92-year-old senator’s past words are any indication of his intentions for 2012 – he’ll be running. When Byrd stepped down as chairman of the Appropriations Committee in 2009, he defended his age, saying he would maintain his Senate seat, “until this old body drops.”

In a 2009 speech Byrd said, “It has been a wonderful 50 years in this great forum of constitutional liberty and I look forward to the next 50!”

While this may not be a statement of fact, it can perhaps be taken as a statement of sincerity.