Senate Briefs

Florida: Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL) will not seek reelection for a second term in 2010. Former Gov. Jeb Bush has been mentioned as a possible contender for the seat. Florida CFO Alex Sink, who was mentioned as a possible challenger to Martinez, had indicated that she will not seek the senate seat even before Martinez announced his decision. Mark Halpernin reports that Martinez may not serve out his term, allowing Gov. Charlie Crist (R-FL) to name his replacement. The person replacing Martinez would most likely get a head start over potential challengers in 2010.

Alaska: Sen. Lisa Murkowski has some tough words for Palin.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) sent a sharp message to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R), according to the Politico: "If you want to make a run at the White House, keep your hands off my Senate seat."

Said Murkowski: "I can guarantee it would be a very tough election... If she wants to be president, I don't think the way to the presidency is a short stop in the United States Senate."

New York: Bill Clinton will not seek Hillary's seat. Here's a list of possible replacements for Sen. Clinton's seat.

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (D) is the consensus strongest pick for the post, not least because he is thought to be a strong opponent for Paterson in two years. Paterson ascended to the seat earlier this year after a prostitution scandal forced Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) out.

Also thought to be near the top of the list are Democratic Reps. Nydia Velazquez, Kirsten Gillibrand, Brian Higgins, Nita Lowey, Gregory Meeks and Steve Israel, along with Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi.

Environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his cousin, Caroline Kennedy, also are being mentioned.

Paterson faces a difficult balancing act in a state with many powerful Democratic sects and an executive branch dominated by white men from New York City.

Gillibrand, Higgins and Brown could help mollify up-staters hoping for one of their own; Velazquez or Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr. would give Hispanics a senator; and Meeks would be the only African-American in the Senate, pending a potential black successor to Obama.