New York Weighs Options to Fill Clinton's Senate Seat

The New York Times reports:

Nine months ago, when he was the lieutenant governor, David A. Paterson dreamed that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton would head to the White House and he would be tapped to fill her Senate seat. [...]

On Friday night, just before delivering a speech to the N.A.A.C.P. in San Francisco, Mr. Paterson told reporters that 10 to 20 people had already contacted him about their interest in taking Mrs. Clinton’s place. “I would say it’s not a shy and retiring group of people who would like to serve in the Senate,” he said, declining to name them.

I have one suggestion for the Governor -- fill the seat with another woman.

Women are just 17% of Congress, and we simply cannot afford to lose ground.

And there are excellent candidates in NY that have more than paid their dues for the opportunity to move up. My first choice would be Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey, a 10-term member of Congress. Lowey had intended to run for the seat currently head by Sen. Clinton, until Clinton threw her hat in the ring. Recognizing that Hillary Clinton would have a better chance of winning, Lowey stepped aside and support her.

My second choice would be Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez, who is currently serving her eighth term as Representative for New York’s 12th Congressional District. Both women are strong women's rights supporters.

It's looking more and more like Sen. Clinton will be our next Secretary of State. Once that is announced, let's urge Gov. Patterson to do the right thing and fill Hillary's Senate seat with another woman!

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