Carte Goodwin was appointed to fill Robert C. Byrd's seat in the U.S. Senate following Byrd's death on June 28, 2010. After taking the oath of office on July 20, 2010, Goodwin, a Democrat, became the nation's youngest senator. He quickly joined with other Democrats in the Senate to approve an extension of unemployment benefits. Goodwin served until November 2010, when Governor Joe Manchin, who had appointed Goodwin, won a special election to serve out the rest of Byrd’s term. After leaving office, Goodwin became the youngest living former senator in the country.

Goodwin was born February 27, 1974, in Mount Alto, Jackson County. He received his bachelor's degree from Marietta College and his law degree from Emory University School of Law. He was in private practice before joining the staff of Governor Manchin, where he served as general counsel. He returned to private practice following his stint in the U.S. Senate.

Goodwin comes from a family of prominent lawyers and state officials. Goodwin’s uncle is Joseph Robert Goodwin, chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District. His aunt is Kay Goodwin, retired cabinet secretary of the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts. His cousin is Booth Goodwin, a former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia.