Potential candidates for 21st Congressional District

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)---The 21st Congressional District is likely to have a vacancy after President-Elect Donald Trump takes office. He has nominated Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to become Ambassador to the United Nations, a role that requires Senate confirmation.

Many names are being floated as potential candidates to fill Stefanik’s seat in a special election. One of them is Republican Assemblymember, Chris Tague, who just won re-election.

"I think it’s kinda premature to say whether I am or I’m not going to be a candidate," said Tague. "I’ve been approached. I’m strongly considering it, but we need to let the process workout."

On the Democratic side, Paula Collins wants the seat. She ran against Stefanik and lost in the most recent election.

"For the special election, the process is the local Democratic leaders, party leaders, who select the candidate," explained Collins. "I have made it very clear to them that I would like to be selected as the candidate. I believe they are weighing their options, as they should do as responsible party leaders."

North Country Assemblymember, Billy Jones, also just won re-election. Jones said his focus is on the upcoming legislative session.

However, he added, "It’s very early on in the process and I’ve been talking to people," said Jones. "I’ve talked to some committee chairs on this to gage the level of interest on this, so like I said it’s very early on in the process and we will have to see how this plays out in the coming weeks."

When a New York Congressional member officially notifies the state that they are leaving, New York law requires the governor to issue a proclamation calling for a special election within 10 days of a vacancy in Congress. It also requires a special election to happen within 70 to 80 days of that proclamation being issued.

For any of that to happen in the 21st district, Trump must be sworn into office and the new Senate must confirm Stefanik for the ambassador position.