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Top 5 possible contenders for Hillary Clinton's Senate seat
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Now that the question of "will she or won't she" accept the position of secretary of state if President-Elect Barack Obama offered it to her, the new game is, "who will replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate?"
It's up to New York Gov. David Paterson to decide. Her replacement would be a favorite to run in the 2010 special election, which would decide who would fulfill the remaining two years of Clinton's term.
And right now, Paterson's not talking, except to say he'll name someone when Clinton physically vacates the seat. That officialls happens in mid-January.
"We can go through all the gossip and all this stuff tomorrow," he said during a news conference on taxes. "I'm not getting into who the candidates are."
He told reporters at the National Governors Association in Philadelphia this week: "I think I can take time and make the right decision."
A Paterson aide says the governor hasn't settled on any favorite yet. It's said he woud prefer to choose either a black candidate or a woman. But here's a list of the top 5 contenders (no, Bill Clinton isn't one of them):
5. Byron Brown - Some elected officials in Western New York are reportedly lobbying for the Buffalo mayor to get the job. He would be the first black senator from the state, if chosen. There's been a push from some in the African American community to get a black lawmaker in. Brown is also a former state senator, so he knows politics and state issues. “I think that the mayor would generate a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and excitement,” State Sen. Antoine M. Thompson, D-Buffalo, Niagara Falls, told The New York Times. “I think that people would like to see someone from upstate, particularly since we don’t have anyone from upstate holding any prominent statewide office.”
4. U.S. Rep. Kristen E. Gillibrand - The Hudson lawmaker and former corporate attorney is considered a rising star in the Democratic party. Representating the 20th congressional district - which stretches across the upstate counties of Saratoga, Dutchess, Columbia, Rensselaer, Washington, Warren, Delaware, Greene, Essex and Otsego - she's only been in Congress less than two years but has accomplished much to put on her resume. Not least of which is that she was the lead sponsor of legislation implement the 9/11 Commission recommendationsp; she introduced legislation that would require the federal government to balance their budget every yearl and authored a bill that would double the tax credit for child care expenses and make up to $10,000 in college tuition tax deductible. She also co-founded the Congressional High Tech Caucus.
3. U.S. Rep. Nita M. Lowey – Representing Westchester County, Lowey’s name has been floated more than a few times as Clinton’s possible successor. But as chairwoman of the House Appropriations State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, Lowey has power in the House – something she may not be ready to give up. In that post, she’ll be working with Clinton at the State Department on budget issues. "Even though it's a great honor to be considered, for me, it makes more sense and I can accomplish more for my district, the state, and the country, if I stay in the House of Representatives," Lowey told the AP.
2. Andrew Cuomo - currently New York's attorney general, Cuomo (dad was former Gov. Mario Cuomo) has a Clinton connection. He served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton. He's got the name recognition and the connections. A recent Marist College poll gives Cuomo the edge. Maybe Hillary can give Paterson a nudge in Cuomo's direction. But Cuomo may have his eyes on Paterson's job.
1. Eliot Spitzer - Yes, our esteemed former governor's name has actually been floated around the Internet as a possible Hillary replacement; albeit hopefully more as a joke than not. He does know politics, is a hard-charger, and knows all the best hotels to bring guests to in the nation's capital...
"In a state where opinions flourish, everybody’s got a Senate candidate," New York Times
"Clinton will stay in Senate seat until confirmed," AP
"Buffalo mayor gains support to be Clinton successor," New York Times
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