Source: Kennedy Seeks Senate Seat

By Michael Gormley

ALBANY, N.Y -- Caroline Kennedy has told New York Gov. David Paterson she wants to be the state's next Senator, becoming the highest-profile person to actively lobby for the seat being vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Kennedy has told the Democratic governor she wants the job should Clinton be confirmed as secretary of state for President-elect Barack Obama, according to two people familiar with the conversations between Kennedy and Paterson.

The people spoke on the condition of anonymity Monday because neither Kennedy nor Paterson have acknowledged she is seeking the position.

If appointed by Paterson, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy would hold the seat once occupied by her late uncle, Robert F. Kennedy.

There was no immediate comment from the Kennedy family or from Paterson.

Paterson has sole authority to name a replacement for Clinton, who was first elected in 2000 and re-elected by a wide margin in 2006.

Over the past week, Kennedy has reached out to several prominent New York Democrats to tell them of her interest in the Senate seat. They included Joel Klein, chancellor of the New York City Department of Education; Kennedy worked closely with Klein as executive of Office of Strategic Partnerships for the New York City Department of Education, where she raised some $65 million for the city's schools.

Other Democrats who appear to be on Paterson's short list include New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who won't say publicly if he's interested.