New York Gov. David A. Paterson has selected Republican Kirsten Gillibrand, 42, to fill the senate seat vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton, the New York Times reported early Friday.

Gov. Paterson made the decision on Friday shortly before 2 a.m. the Times said, quoting a person who spoke to the governor.

An aide to Gillibrand confirmed that she had accepted the appointment, the Times reported. Paterson will announce the new choice at a meeting in Albany on Friday at noon.

Gillbrand is a second-term Democratic congresswoman from upstate New York.

She was one of the potential candidates for the senate after Caroline Kennedy stepped down from consideration yesterday.

Clinton left the senate after she was confirmed by senators this week as President Barack Obama's pick to be Secretary of State.

New York The New York Times