Tag: Hudson Valley

David Paterson's surprise appointment of second-term U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to fill Hillary Clinton's U.S. Senate seat on Jan. 23, 2009, the New York Times helpfully phoneticized her name for its readers: "JILL-uh-brand." Political consultant Morgan Hook, who was a news producer for Albany's CBS6 at the time, recalled interviewing Gillibrand about voting with Republicans against a Democratic bill that would fund U.S. efforts in Iraq. Her advice that he use the occasion to speak out on behalf of people with disabilities, Paterson said, cemented his decision. She wrote in her 2014 autobiography that, during the interview, he told her, "You know, throughout this process, I have heard the nastiest things about you and you have reflected none of that. Previously, she had expressed support only for civil unions. Schumer, along with President Barack Obama, helped clear the Democratic field for Gillibrand's election, according to reports at the time. Tellingly, at a 2009 fundraiser, as Gillibrand thanked her supporters, she had noted that she might face a Democratic challenge the following year. Velazquez, a New York City Democrat who has not endorsed a candidate for 2020, said she found Gillibrand's evolution on the issue sincere. Gillibrand has long supported Medicare for all. Editorial boards jumped on her when she announced her exploratory committee for president three months later.