But speaking in Harlem on Thursday, Patterson said he was in no rush to name his pick to replace Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton if she is confirmed as secretary of state.
He says, "I feel less anxiety over the choice because in two years the public will, in a special election, determine who is the senator."
Under the state constitution, the appointee must stand in the next general election, which is in 2010.
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AP Radio Correspondent Julie Walker contributed to this report.
