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What does a politician do when Vice President Joe Biden reportedly calls to gauge her interest in running for, say, U.S. Senator? U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney decided to lace up her running shoes.

“I’ve worked hard for the people of Queens and all New Yorkers. People know where I stand. I’ve taken on the tough fights, leading the fight for the Credit Card Bill of Rights, called the strongest consumer bill in over a decade. I’m ready to take this experience to the Senate,” Maloney told the Tribune Wednesday.

Congresswoman Maloney has made her decision. She believes times are too tough and our challenges too important for politics as usual,” said Paul Blank, who was recently hired to be her senior campaign advisor. “New Yorkers need a strong, experienced and independent leader who will never waver and can always be counted on to stand up to powerful interests and fight for the values and principles we believe in. Congresswoman Maloney is putting together a campaign team and will make her announcement in two weeks.”

Maloney represents Astoria and Manhattan’s Upper East Side. She’s going for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s seat in the 2010 Democratic primary, despite pressure from party leaders reportedly as high up as the president to quell Democratic competitors, and protect incumbent Gillibrand.

Gillibrand was appointed to replace Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and has not been as popular as hoped. Party leaders are reportedly concerned that a primary would weaken Democratic turn out in the general election, potentially creating a Republican advantage.

A recent poll of 600 likely Democratic primary voters showed Maloney leading Gillibrand 34 to 32 percent.