Could the New York City’s first openly-gay City Council member, Christine Quinn, be tapped to replace Hillary Clinton‘s Senate seat once she formally accepts Obama’s offer to be Secretary of State?
The answer is a definite maybe according to Sharyn O’Halloran, a political science professor at Columbia University. New York Governor David Paterson will make the appointment. Gov. Paterson is a champion of gay rights in New York and earlier this year, ordered the state to recognize same-sex marriages performed outside the state.
When asked about the possibility, Quinn made the standard non-denial denial a politician makes when asked about future political prospects, saying:
“There’s a lot of steps that have to fall into place before we get to the point where we might have to look for a United States senator. I am very lucky to have a job right now, a job that I love and I am at this moment planning to run for both of the jobs that I have – local councilmember and speaker.”
If Quinn were appointed, she would be the first openly-gay U.S. senator. Sorry Sen. Craig, you don’t count. However, O’Halloran says the current top contender for the position is New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
ggreen
Quinn is a hack and a puppet of Bloomberg. Voting to repeal term limits for billionaires. PU
The Gay Numbers
I haven’t heard anyone else mention either of these two names.
PuddyKatz
Not on any “short list” anywhere. This is a pathetic piece of reporting. There is no evidence here whatsoever! A definite maybe without even a quotation from the professor turns into a “short list”.
Shame on you editor of Queerty!
PuddyKatz
By the way Christine Quinn is hated by most New Yorkers for her support of Bloomberg in overturning term limits. Hated, I tell you, hated. Patterson would not be stupid enough to appoint her.
damascene
Please, she is such a minor player now-a-days. Everyone know she kowtows to Bloomberg for his mayoral endorsement in 5 year.
don
I thing this would be fabulous!. Although I disagree with the way term limits were removed, she is well regarded by most New Yorker’s. My best friend and her lover just had a baby boy, Chris knew and asked how they were . She is a class act and would be a great selection not just for New York but the Nation