New York Gov. David Paterson is considering filling Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's former Senate seat with two-term Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, according to local media reports.

The selection would give upstate New York representation in the Senate and also would not change the number of women in the upper chamber.

There was a flurry of activity related to the seat in the past 24 hours. First, Clinton was confirmed and then it became known that Caroline Kennedy was withdrawing her name from consideration.

Following that decision, Gillibrand, 42, appeared to quickly rise to the list of top contenders.

A Gillibrand appointment would not be without controversy. The New York Times reported that Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, a strong gun control activist who was elected to Congress after her husband was killed by gunfire, would consider a primary challenge against Gillibrand.

By Klaus Marre, The Hill, January 22, 2009