Jonathan P. Hicks, New York Times
With Hillary Rodham Clinton’s nomination to be secretary of state now official, the discussions are ratcheting to a more frenzied level regarding her possible successor as United States senator. In fact, a number of elected officials from western New York are publicly urging Gov. David A. Paterson to appoint Mayor Byron W. Brown of Buffalo.
His supporters say that Mr. Brown, 50, would be the first black senator from New York and that he would also provide a national platform for a state official from western New York.
Mr. Brown was elected to the State Senate in 2000 and served there until his election as mayor in 2005.
“I think that the mayor would generate a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and excitement,” said State Senator Antoine M. Thompson, a Democrat who represents parts of Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
