Follow-up: Kirsten Gillibrand named to Senate

On Wednesday, we looked into the chance that Rep. Nydia Velazquez could be named to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton. Velazquez was a dark horse candidate though her odds improved when Caroline Kennedy dropped her bid.

New York Governor David Paterson officially unveiled Clinton’s replacement earlier today: Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand.

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Despite being praised by some leading New York Democrats her centrism may clash with others in the party. Her status as a “Blue Dog” Democrat has also raised eyebrows among several interest groups representing areas like gun control and immigration. “Now that she will be representing a far broader and more diverse constituency, Senator-Designee Gillibrand must reconsider her positions on immigration” read part of a statement from the head of the New York Immigration Coalition.

Despite qualms over her views on immigration Gillibrand seems like a good choice; her mostly moderate views will likely coincide with Gov. Paterson and President Obama’s policy. If she plays her cards right she can serve in Congress beyond the 2010 and 2012 elections and spare the Empire State the possibility of a Senator Rudy Giuliani.

Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, CBS News, MSNBC, politico.com, New York Times, CNN

Could Nydia Velazquez fill Clinton’s Senate seat?

By a 94-2 vote, the Senate this afternoon confirmed Hillary Clinton's nomination to be the next Secretary of State. Thus, Clinton will have to vacate her Senate seat representing New York. Could her replacement be a Latina?

One of the most prominent names bandied around over the past few weeks to replace Clinton was that of Caroline Kennedy. But several reports circulated tonight that she withdrew her bid citing concerns over the health of her uncle- Senator Ted Kennedy. She has also faced strong criticism over her lack of political experience as well as her troubled relationship with the local press.

[Update: Kennedy officially withdrew her bid for the Senate shortly after midnight.]

Thus, the door opens for other high-profile local politicos like New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Governor David Paterson could make a dark horse pick, however, to fulfill the remaining two years before a special election. Rep. Nydia Velazquez- the first Puerto Rican woman to be elected to Congress- could be a tempting choice for Paterson.

As the New York Daily News observed last November:

Velazquez offers the tantalizing possibility of killing two political birds with one stone by appealing to Hispanics and women - both critical voting blocs.

"They think she's a twofer," said the source close to Paterson, who would get to pick Clinton's replacement. "She's a woman and a Latina and therefore a home run. He's feeling tremendous pressure in western New York, which he has to win to win the general election. But the closer pressure he's feeling right now is from the Hispanic community."

Image- daylife.com (“Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008.”)
Online Sources- BBC News, New York Daily News, Gothamist, AFP, CBS News