New York Gov. Paterson to Name Rep. Gillibrand to Clinton's Former U.S. Senate Seat

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New York Gov. David Paterson will name Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, an upstate Democrat, to replace Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate, a Democratic official with knowledge of the governor's decision told FOX News on Thursday night.

Gillibrand, elected in 2006, represents the state's 20th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is the first Democrat to represent the district since 1978 -- and the first female representative of the district.

Paterson is scheduled to formally announce his pick Friday.

"I'm honored just to be considered," Gillibrand told FOX News earlier Thursday.

But some New York City Democrats are skeptical of Gillibrand, who voted against the financial rescue package last fall. And the National Rifle Association has endorsed Gillibrand -- another cause for concern among some Democrats.

In defense of the endorsement, Gillibrand told FOX News that she come from a "hunting family" and "wants to support hunter's rights."

The choice of Gillibrand follows weeks of broad speculation over whom Paterson would choose, the presumed frontrunners being state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President Kennedy.

Clinton resigned from the Senate this week to be sworn in as President Obama.

Kennedy had campaigned vigorously for the position but withdrew her name from consideration Wednesday, citing "personal reasons." That sparked a flurry of media reports on other potential motives for her decision, rumors that she described, through a spokesman, as untrue "mudslinging."
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