Kirsten Gillibrand

Kirsten Gillibrand is running for election in 2012 for her first full term in the U.S. Senate representing New York. She was appointed by the governor of New York to temporarily fill the seat vacated by Hillary Clinton's appointment as Secretary of State in January 2009. Gillibrand won a special election for the seat with 63 percent of the vote in November 2010. A strong advocate for women's rights, her positions on reproductive rights have earned her 100% ratings from both NARAL ProChoice America and Planned Parenthood. Gillibrand strongly backed the overturning of the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy for Lesbians and Gays in the military.

Background:

• Clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
• Served as Special Counsel to United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Andrew Cuomo during the Clinton Administration.
• Partner at the law firm headed by David Boies, who represented Al Gore case in the 2000 U.S. Supreme Court case Bush v. Gore.

Committee Assignments:

• Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
• Armed Services
• Environment and Public Works
• Special Committee on Aging
• PARTY: Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee

Prospects: Excellent

Opponent: Wendy Long (R), an attorney, is challenging Gillibrand in the general election.

Other Endorsements: Emily's List, Women's Campaign Forum, NOWPAC, NARAL PAC, NWPC

Website: kirstengillibrand.com