Although Caroline Kennedy is taking the spotlight in the search for the next senator from New York, there are a number of other highly qualified women who we hear are also being considered for the post.

Not least of which is Hillary Clinton supporter Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, would be the first openly gay senator if chosen. Weingarten has ties to Gov. David Paterson’s father, Basil, who is a labor lawyer who has represented her union. She has acted as an emissary for the national AFT in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and also leads New York City’s Municipal Labor Committee, an umbrella organization for the city’s 100-plus public sector unions.

Weingarten, a lawyer and active member of the Democratic National Committee, recently said she is "very flattered and honored" to be mentioned, "however, I have a great new job that I am very engaged in." 

Hmmmm. We’ll see. 

Here are a handful of other Democratic New York women who also would be great candidates to fill Clinton’s shoes:

Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand – Considered an intelligent, savvy politician who has won some tough races so far, Gillibrand is often the top female name bandied about behind Kennedy’s. She’s said to have a lot of Clinton supporters, many of whom are active fundraisers. Her congressional district surrounding Albany includes towns like Hudson, Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls and Fort Edward.

Earlier this month, during one of her “Congress at Your Corner” events upstate in Saratoga Springs, Gillibrand said she was honored to be considered but didn’t think she was high on Paterson’s list.

“I will cross that bridge when I get to it,” Gillibrand said. “It is just such an honor to even be considered on a list with so many people I admire.”

During an interview with Saratoga.com earlier this year, Gillibrand said some of her priorities in Congress included: fighting terrorism, economic growth for Upstate New York; better agricultural and energy policies; investment in rural broadband; affordable education; and cutting taxes for the middle class, small businesses and seniors. Sworn in just under two years ago as a new House member, Gillibrand has added a lot to her resume since then, not least of which is as a member on the House Armed Services and the Agriculture committees, as well as co-founder of the Congressional High Tech Caucus — a panel that works to ensure that the U.S. stays at the forefront of emerging technologies and high-tech industries.  

Her advice for women who are considering politics as a career?

“Follow your instincts and your passions. Get involved where you have the greatest desire for change. Be focused on your issues, and do not let opponents set the tone or agenda for discussion. Be yourself.”

Rep. Nydia Velazquez – The Brooklyn congresswoman currently in her eighth term, has taken herself out of contention as a potential Clinton successor, saying she wants to stay in the House.

"While I have been proud and humbled to be considered, I have decided to stay" in the House, Velazquez said in a statement. "Going forward, I will keep advocating for more Hispanics in statewide office.”

But there’s a lot of time between now and the end of January for her to change her mind.

Velazquez, one of nine kids born in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, is among New York’s most prominent Hispanic politicians. She was recently chosen by her colleagues to head up the 21-member Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and she also chairs the House Small Business Committee. Her 12th congressional district includes parts of Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.

She’s made a bit of history herself, too. In 1992, she was the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the House, and was the first Hispanic woman to serve as a ranking member of a full House committee when, in 1998, she was named the Ranking Democrat on the House Small Business Committee. She has been a vocal advocate of American small business and entrepreneurship — as well as affordable housing — and was recently named as the inaugural "Woman of the Year" by Hispanic Business Magazine.