If Clinton leaves, many hoping replacement would come from upstate
Speculation abounds over Clinton's Senate seat
Pressure is mounting for an upstater to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton in the U.S. Senate should she be asked by President-elect Barack Obama to join his cabinet as secretary of state.
Erie County Democratic Chairman Leonard R. Lenihan is already campaigning for Rep. Brian Higgins of Buffalo and others speculate that Gov. David A. Paterson may consider someone from outside the group of usual candidates, given the new and total domination of state government by New York City Democrats.
“Here is an opportunity for the governor to make Western New York really important,” said Hank Sheinkopf, a Democratic political consultant from Manhattan. “He needs to get someone of high quality and substance from Western New York. It’s the fair and right thing to do.”
While Clinton refused to address the speculation Friday during an appearance in suburban Albany, the game of political dominoes is already under way. Some news outlets are mentioning Mayor Byron W. Brown as a potential candidate, and the mayor said Friday he would consider an appointment but is “focused” on his current job.
But other major names are entering the mix, too, and not necessarily from upstate. They include Rep. Steve Israel of Long Island, Rep. Greg Meeks of Queens, former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer and state Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo.
Should the former first lady become secretary of state, Paterson would make the appointment to fill the vacancy. That person would then run in the next general election in 2010, to fill the remainder of the Clinton term that expires in 2012.
The last time such a vacancy occurred was in 1968, when Sen. Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated. Former Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller appointed former Rep. Charles E. Goodell of Jamestown to the post, who lost to James L. Buckley— the Conservative candidate — in a three-way contest in the 1970 general election.
Goodell was also the last upstater to serve in the U.S. Senate.
Higgins’ supporters have begun to champion Higgins privately, with Lenihan going to bat for the congressman publicly.
The party chairman said late Friday that Higgins has just come off a lopsided reelection to his third term, has excellent relations with Paterson and could carry crucial Erie County in a statewide election.
“It’s the Peoria of the state, because as goes Erie County so goes the state,” Lenihan said. “And he would help other candidates in 2010, including the governor.”
While such major posts as senator normally go to downstaters, Lenihan said the domination of all executive and legislative leadership posts by downstate residents makes consideration of an upstater all the more important.
“There is an overwhelming need to have the statewide power structure geographically balanced,” he said. “And Brian is a broad thinker who looks at things from a statewide and national perspective. He just brings an awful lot to the table.”
Higgins declined to comment, but his supporters also point out that he has gained stature with statewide Democrats after playing a key role in helping to re-elect State Sen. William T. Stachowski, D-Lake View, on Nov. 4.
