ONEONTA,N.Y. – Senator James L. Seward today commented on Governor David Paterson’s selection of Kirsten Gillibrand for U.S. Senator to replace Hillary Clinton.

“I am pleased that Governor Paterson has selected an individual from upstate New York to serve as U.S. senator. Certainly, we need an upstate voice in Washington, especially considering the downstate origins of the governor, attorney general, comptroller, assembly speaker and senate majority leader. He is to be commended for selecting an upstate congressional representative. My senate district and Kirsten Gillibrand’s former congressional district share Greene County and parts of Otsego County, so I look forward to continuing to work with our newest junior senator on issues that affect our upstate region.

“While electing a new senator would be ideal, I am hopeful Kirsten Gillibrand will be mindful of the needs of our state as a whole and particularly upstate until a special election can be held in 2010.”