AFT President Randi Weingarten wants to take Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s place in the Senate, the New York Daily News reports. She’s got tough competition from a host New York pols and Caroline Kennedy.

But Weingarten does have a few arguments for her candidacy. She’d be an historic pick as the first openly gay member of the U.S. Senate, and she’s got connections to New York Gov. David Paterson. Plus, Paterson could choose Weingarten to mollify teachers’ complaints about his education budget proposals, New York suggests.

Weingarten didn’t deny interest in a statement to the Daily News. We’re awaiting a statement from her staff.