The West Virginia Republicans have been pressing for a fall election to replace the late senator Robert Byrd--even threatening a lawsuit to force one. After some initial reluctance it appears that governor Joe Manchin may give them what they are asking for. Politico reports Manchin says he's "highly" interested in running: 

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin voiced support for holding a special election this year to fill the late Sen. Robert Byrd's seat, announcing that he would request a legal opinion from the state attorney general to determine if a vote could be held.   Manchin, a Democrat who said he would be "highly" interested in running for the seat himself, expressed discomfort with Secretary of State Natalie Tennant's ruling that the governor should name a placeholder to the seat until it comes up for election in 2012.   "I believe in the power of the vote. I believe in the election process," Manchin told reporters. "Two and a half years to appoint someone to fill the shoes of Robert C. Byrd is too long."