Of all the names circulating through the rumor mill about Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s successor, take one off the list. Representative Nita M. Lowey said through a spokesman on Monday that she does not want to be considered for the job, which would become vacant if Mrs. Clinton is confirmed by the United States Senate as President-elect Barack Obama’s secretary of state.
Mrs. Lowey, a Democrat who represents Westchester County, had been frequently mentioned as one of the top contenders to fill Mrs. Clinton’s seat. But Mrs. Lowey decided to wait to speak out on the speculation until Mr. Obama officially made his announcement, which he did on Monday.
...Gov. David A. Paterson will select the person to serve in Mrs. Clinton’s absence. But he indicated on Monday that he would not announce his choice until the senator resigns her seat. That would happen in January at the earliest. Mr. Paterson’s choice would then serve until 2010 when state law requires that a special election must be held. The winner of that special election would then hold the seat until the expiration of Mrs. Clinton’s term in 2012.
Some of the other people that Mr. Paterson is known to be considering to take Mrs. Clinton’s place are Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, Representative Brian Higgins of Buffalo and Representative Kirsten E. Gillibrand of Hudson.
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/01/lowey-not-interested-in-succeeding-clinton/