US News

REP. SAYS ‘NO THANKS’ TO HILL SEAT

ALBANY – Westchester Rep. Nita Lowey took herself out of the running to replace Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton yesterday, even as a latecomer to the scramble, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, proclaimed her interest in the plum job.

The announcements came as Clinton all but guaranteed seven more weeks of backroom jockeying by saying she would wait until after Senate confirmation hearings next month to formally step down.

In turn, Gov. Paterson – a Democrat with the sole authority to fill the vacancy – said he would wait until after Clinton’s confirmation to name a successor.

Although the new Senate assembles Jan. 6, Clinton won’t be confirmed until after the scheduled Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

“Whenever a person is going through this process, it’s their decision and a decision that I’ll abide by,” Paterson said.

Meanwhile, the list of possible Clinton successors continues to grow – with no clear front-runner.

Any appointee to the $165,200-a-year position would have to face voters in 2010 to win the last two years of Clinton’s unexpired term.

Yesterday, Maloney, a 16-year House veteran who represents parts of Manhattan and Queens, made a rare public declaration of interest in the job.

“She is clearly interested,” Maloney spokesman Andrew Tulloch said. “A lot of people have asked her to submit her name to the governor.”

Maloney joked to a Post reporter last night, “I do have a very good record. I could send it to you,” but added that it was up to Paterson.

Sources close to Maloney stressed her close relationship with the state’s senior senator, Charles Schumer, and potential support from the state chapter of the National Organization for Women.

The often-mentioned Lowey, who stepped aside to let Clinton run in 2000, said she wasn’t interested in giving up her powerful post on the House Appropriations Committee.

“Even though it’s a great honor to be considered, for me, it makes more sense and I can accomplish more for my district, the state and the country if I stay in the House of Representatives,” Lowey, 71, told The Associated Press.

Lowey is the second contender to bow out. The first was Paterson, who has ruled out appointing himself.

After Paterson, the most obvious replacement would be Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who has already won statewide election.

A Marist poll released last month showed Cuomo to be voters’ leading choice.

Paterson has come under pressure to pick an upstater. Some have lobbied for a woman to replace a Clinton.

Others still have pushed for a Latino.

Several current Congress members have been mentioned as possible replacements, including Reps. Brian Higgins (D-Buffalo), Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn), Gregory Meeks (D-Queens), Steve Israel (D-LI) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-Columbia).

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi have also been mentioned.

Some big names frequently floated include former President Bill Clinton, Caroline Kennedy and cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr..

brendan.scott@nypost.com