Jeffries name has been buzzing around political circles for a few weeks now after it was announced that Darryl Towns was leaving the Assembly to take a job in the Cuomo administration. Towns and Jeffries were thought to be the chief rivals for the Congressional seat currently held by Towns father Edolphus.

The conventional wisdom has been that Towns leaving the legislature clears the way for Jeffries, but others aren't so sure. Ed Towns has said he intends to run for re-election in 2012, and so his son would have three years as the state's housing chief and as a top aide to Andrew Cuomo, which could position him well for a Congressional run, especially considering that he is no longer tempted to accrue seniority in the Assembly.

Meanwhile Councilman Charles Barron, who has run for the seat before, has done a decent job of garnering attention. 

Tickets to the Jeffries soiree at Ward III downtown start at $100. Click on the image for more info.