Shott to Succeed Caruth in Senate

Delegate John Shott, R-Mercer, will fill the Senate seat of the late Minority Leader Don Caruth until at least the November election, The Associated Press reports.

Gov. Joe Manchin appointed Shott, a Bluefield lawyer, on Wednesday. Manchin said he had offered the seat to Caruth's widow, but that she declined and later said her late husband would have approved of the choice of Shott, the article said.

Shott was running unopposed for his House seat. A GOP committee will submit names to the governor for his replacement there.

AP notes that both the House and Senate honored Caruth with memorial resolutions Wednesday as part of the ongoing special session.