( CNN ) -- West Virginia Gov . Joe Manchin will announce on Friday his pick to temporarily fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd . Manchin has said he 'll push to hold a special election this November to fill the remaining two years of the term . The legislature is meeting in special session , considering legislation to do just that . Manchin , a popular two-term Democratic governor , told reporters this month that he `` would highly consider '' seeking the seat himself -- not surprising given Manchin was thought to be interested in running for the Senate in 2012 , when the election is currently scheduled . West Virginia law dictates that the governor has the power to name an immediate replacement for Byrd . Manchin says he does n't want to appoint someone who would serve for two-and-a-half years without the people 's consent . `` I believe in the power of the vote , '' Manchin told reporters . If the contest is held this November , it would add another possible Senate pick up potential for the Republicans and would help their odds at possibly retaking control of the chamber . The GOP needs to re-take 10 Senate seats to regain the majority . The state 's largest union , the West Virginia chapter of the AFL-CIO , has urged Manchin to name himself to the seat , but the governor has said he will not do so . Byrd was the longest serving member ever in Congressional history .
Gov . Joe Machin will name a temporary replacement for the late Sen. Robert Byrd . Sen. Byrd died last month . Sen. Byrd was the longest serving member in Congressional history .