Correction Appended

Rumors are swirling this week that Rep. Steve Israel is poised to jump into the Democratic primary against appointed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand next year.

Lindsay Hamilton, a spokesman for Israel, said Monday that the Congressman plans no political announcements in the next couple of days. But he is known to be openly contemplating the race, as are Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D) and Carolyn McCarthy (D).

Israel seems like the best-equipped of the Members to take on Gillibrand, at least on the financial front. Through March 31, he had $1.7 million in his campaign account. Gillibrand, who was appointed to the Senate in late January, had about $2.2 million on hand.

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer (D) and Suffolk County Legislator Jon Cooper (D) have created exploratory committees for possible Senate bids. Cooper lives in Huntington, the same town as Israel, so he could use whatever money he’s raised for his exploratory committee to run for the House if Israel runs for Senate.

Correction: May 12, 2009

The article reported that Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) was set to hold a Capitol Hill fundraiser Tuesday. The fundraiser had originally been scheduled for Tuesday but has been postponed until July.