The Eye

But the White House interference has rubbed many New York Democrats the wrong way -- especially because Obama was an underdog who would not have won the presidency had party elders cleared a path for the party's favorite, then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Democratic officials hope to prevent Gillibrand from facing a primary, where she could be attacked from the left on the votes she cast in two-plus years representing a moderate upstate House district.

She was appointed by Gov. David Paterson to succeed Clinton, who became secretary of State.

In the Latino community there is residual disaffection with Gillibrand because of immigration-related votes she cast that Hispanics viewed as insensitive, and gun-control advocates have taken her to task for being a favorite of the National Rifle Association during her House tenure.

"She's vulnerable on just about every issue, from guns to immigration," Serrano said.

Serrano didn't say when he would make a decision about whether to run.

Like other lawmakers in the New York delegation, Serrano would have a lot to give up: He is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and chairs its Financial Services Subcommittee.

Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney has told colleagues she will run, and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, a fellow Democrat, has said she will run against Gillibrand if no one else does.