Hillary's successor

Aide: Successor chosen for Clinton's Senate seat
By MICHAEL GORMLEY, Associated Press Writer Michael Gormley, Associated Press Writer
2 hrs 16 mins ago

ALBANY, New York – Gov. David Paterson has picked Democratic U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to fill New York's vacant U.S. Senate seat, an aide to the governor said early Friday, a day after Caroline Kennedy abruptly withdrew from consideration.

Gillibrand, a second-term lawmaker from upstate New York, will be named to fill the seat vacated when Hillary Rodham Clinton resigned to become secretary of state in the Obama administration, the aide said, speaking on condition of anonymity because an announcement hadn't been made. It was scheduled for later Friday.

Gillibrand's office didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.

She was considered one of the top contenders in Paterson's selection process, along with Kennedy and state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

Paterson's appointment lasts until 2010, when a special election will be held to fill the final two years of Clinton's term.

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Gillibrand is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition. She opposes gun control. She supports extending the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for middle class families; stem cell research; and the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act. Gillibrand opposes attempts to partially privatize Social Security.[6] She strongly supported passage of the 2008 Farm Bill. Gillibrand broke with former Governor Eliot Spitzer on the issue of illegal immigration, opposing his plan to issue New York State drivers licenses to illegal immigrants. She supports same-sex marriage.