West Virginia's governor says he's ready to fill the seat vacated by the death of U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd nearly three weeks ago.

Gov. Joe Manchin plans to present his choice to succeed history's longest-serving senator Friday afternoon at the state Capitol.

Byrd's death June 28 at age 92 left Democrats with a diminished majority in the Senate.

Manchin's potential choices are believed to include ex-Democratic Party chief Nick Casey, former Gov. Gaston Caperton and former general counsel Carte Goodwin.

But Manchin wants his appointee to hold the seat only until voters choose someone in November's general election to serve out the rest of Byrd's term.

The Legislature began a special session Thursday to consider that proposal. Manchin says it's highly likely he'll run in that election.