Politics

By Harriet Barovick, Tam Gray, Lina Lofaro, David Spitz, Flora Tartakovsky and Chris Taylor

New York Democrats are worried that they may be left in the lurch if HILLARY CLINTON ends up deciding not to seek the Senate seat from their state next year. One possible contender had been ANDREW CUOMO, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, who thought about running but then announced he wouldn't in order to spend time helping AL GORE get elected President. Now there are hopes that he may reconsider and get in the race if Hillary decides not to. His father MARIO CUOMO was disappointed by his initial decision, and has let his feelings be known. "I certainly hope that he would reconsider if it turns out that Hillary doesn't get in the race," the former New York Governor told TIME last week. But his son says that he has not had any second thoughts and is still feeling good about his decision to stay out of the Senate race.