HUDSON, N.Y. -- With her hand on the Bible and her son Theo holding it up, freshly re-elected Congresswomen Kirsten Gillibrand took her oath of office. More than a hundred friends and family filled the Columbia County Court House, watching the woman that might follow in Hillary Clinton's footsteps now that Clinton is becoming President-elect Obama's Secretary of State.

"As a result, there will be a vacancy in the United States Senate," said Judge Roger Miner, US Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

Gillibrand's former boss, Judge Roger Miner, dropped a not so subtle Senate succession hint to cheers after the ceremony. Governor Paterson has said a qualified upstate candidate could make sense.

"I think that it is important that he choose the right person for the job, that he thinks have all the things so we have a good balance in our state," said Gillibrand.

Gillibrand wouldn't say if she is interested, but did say she hasn't spoken with the Governor's office about the job. She says she, like everyone who's name is out there, is waiting for a decision.

"When that bridge comes, we will cross it," said Gillibrand.

And while Gillibrand’s name is on a long list of possible picks to replace Senator Clinton, the only name that really matter is this one -- David Paterson.

"You can ask me this question a million times. I am not getting into who the candidates are," said the Governor.

Because in the end, it is up to him.