NY Democrat: She's Running
A New York Democratic official Wednesday told CBS This Morning that First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton has decided to run for the U.S. Senate.
Democratic Chairman of Staten Island Robert Gigante said he talked with the first lady at a fund-raiser Monday.
Gigante said during his conversation with the first lady, "I said to her, do you have any good news for the people of Staten Island? And she said, 'yes.' And I said, does that mean youÂ'll run? And she said, 'yes.'"
Gigante said he was stunned and surprised, but happy to hear the news.
The first ladyÂ's press secretary, Marsha Berry, denied Wednesday that there has been any decision made regarding the New York Senate race, reports CBS News Producer Jeff Goldman.
Hillary Rodham Clinton recently made three speeches during an evening in Manhattan without saying whether she will run for U.S. Senate — but she has committed herself to living in New York.
In an exclusive CBS News interview with Evening News Anchor Dan Rather, Mrs. Clinton said she plans to move to New York after leaving the White House, but that does not necessarily mean she has decided to run for the U.S. Senate seat from New York.
The interview, which was taped May 20, will air Wednesday night on 60 Minutes II.
Berry said Mrs. Clinton "and the president have discussed that they would like to live in New York, long before she was approached about this race." She said those discussions had been going on for over a year. But Mrs. Clinton was circumspect about whether she will run for the Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
"You've made up your mind to run; it is just a matter of time of an announcement. Is that a fair description of where you are?" Rather asked.
"No, not really," Mrs. Clinton responded. "I'm still thinking about it. People are still talking to me about it. I've been very flattered by the people who have come to me and asked me to consider it. And I'm obviously very interested."
Mrs. Clinton appeared in New York City on Monday at a fund-raiser for Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., who will run for the Senate if the first lady does not. Mrs. Clinton made no reference to her impending decision.
Mrs. Lowey highlighted her solidarity with Mrs. Clinton, betraying no bitterness that her own political future might be hurt as she awaits the first lady's decision.
"Let the governor and the mayor have their petty feuds," Mrs. Lowey said. "While the Republicans in this state turn their backs on one another, I am proud to march forward shoulder-to-shoulder with my friend Hillary Rodham Clinton."
Mrs. Lowey's comments about the Republicans refer to New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who has formed an exploratory campaign committee for the Senate seat, and Gov. George Pataki. On Monday, Pataki said he had no intention of running for the Senate.