It's not official yet, but Hillary Clinton may be president elect Obama's right hand woman as secretary of state.
    
Brighton Town Supervisor Sandra Frankel has been a close friend to Clinton for years and says if Hillary accepts the position, it would not only be a good thing for the United States, but also for New York State.

“She knows our state well, we have so many involvements economically and culturally in countries around the world that that kind of knowledge and representation would be a real plus for New York State as well.“

But if Clinton accepts the position as the nation's top diplomat, who will take her place in the senate?

Radio host and Republican analyst Bill Nojay tells us that Under the New York constitution, the governor has the power to appoint a successor to a senator who leaves office.

Nojay also believes there are several people who could fill the senator's term.

“You’ve got two Kennedy’s, Robert F. Kennedy junior that's made very clear he would love to be a senator from the state of New York, but also Kathleen Kennedy who was on Barack Obama's administration transition team.”

But Frankel tells me there are candidates the governor should consider from Upstate New York.

“ I think we would be well served by either Mayor Brown or Congressman Higgins from Erie County because they understand the needs of Upstate of Western New York.“

Nojay agrees.  A senator from upstate he says could be in the governor's best interest.

“Upstate New York has lost a million people in population and 300,000 jobs. Upstate New York’s economy is in crisis. If Governor Patterson really wants to send a signal that he cares about the future of Upstate New York he should appoint a Democrat from upstate.“

Rochester mayor Bob Duffy also believes an upstate senator would be beneficial. But he says he'd support Attorney General Andrew Cuomo for the position.