Rep. Velazquez Won’t Run for Senate

Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) said she’s not interested in succeeding Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) on Monday.

“While I have been proud and humbled to be considered, I have decided to stay” in the House, she said in a statement.

She added that she’ll continue pushing for more Hispanics in statewide office. “Governor [David] Paterson has my full backing as he makes his decision, and I will give my support and counsel to help our next senator achieve success for New York,” she added.

Paterson (D) will appoint Clinton’s successor when she vacates her seat to become secretary of State.

Velazquez, the chairwoman of the Small Business Committee and the Hispanic Caucus, was one of a host of New York Democrats mentioned as possible successors. Others include Caroline Kennedy, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, Rep. Brian Higgins, Rep. Carolyn Maloney and Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand.

Velazquez’s decision may increase Kennedy’s chances of being appointed, since Velazquez has been one of the state’s most prominent female politicians, according to Daily Kos’s brownsox. Some Democrats have urged Paterson to choose a woman to fill Clinton’s seat.