Byrd

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Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV), "the longest-serving member of Congress in United States history, who spent much of his career as a conservative Democrat and ended it by fiercely opposing the war in Iraq and questioning the state's powerful coal industry, died Monday," the Charleston Gazette reports. He was 92.

"Byrd ran for state and national office 15 times and never lost. Once elected to the U.S. Senate in 1958, he steadily advanced through the ranks. He was named majority whip in 1971 and majority leader in 1975. Democrats became the minority party in the Senate in 1981, but Byrd remained their leader until they regained control of the Senate in 1987. In 1989, he was elected president pro tempore of the Senate -- a largely ceremonial post -- and named chairman of the Appropriations Committee. It was there that he began funneling federal projects and money to West Virginia in earnest."

Politico: "Anyone who has driven the scenic byways of West Virginia, visited the state's national parks or stopped by the federal courthouse in Charleston, W.Va., has borne witness to his power -- Byrd's name is everywhere."

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin (D) has the power to appoint an interim replacement to fill Byrd's seat. A special election would be held in November to fill the remaining two years in Byrd's term.