By Colin Campbell 12/11/12 1:54pm

'dim sum for daniel'

(Photo: Getty)

Kirsten Gillibrand Plays the Field in Public Advocate’s Race

When it comes to replacing outgoing Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand doesn’t have a favorite, but that doesn’t mean she lacks any political love to share around. Accordingly, Ms. Gillibrand is set to appear at fundraisers for all three of the leading Democratic candidates for the position: Councilwoman Tish James, former congressional candidate Reshma Saujani and State Senator Dan Squadron. The fundraisers for Ms. James and Ms. Saujani had already been rolled out, while Mr. Squadron’s campaign announced their own event earlier this afternoon.

“One of my favorite weekend activities with my wife and 20-month-old son is having dim sum in Chinatown,” Mr. Squadron wrote in an email to his supporters. Read More

By Hunter Walker 11/29/12 10:24am

Weatherproofing

Senator Chuck Schumer discussing post-Sandy federal aid at the Capitol Building yesterday with Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Kirsten Gillibrand. (Photo: Getty)

Chuck Schumer Promises Push for Sandy Aid Will Include Storm Protection Projects

Most of the discussion surrounding the request New York is making for billions in Sandy recovery aid has focused on repairing the damage caused by the storm. However, at yesterday’s press conference where he discussed the push for federal aid, Senator Chuck Schumer said the efforts of elected officials will also include securing funds for storm protection projects.

“There is money for mitigation,” Mr. Schumer said in response to a question from Politicker. “I don’t know New Jersey’s division yet, but New York’s is 32 billion for the actual damage that occurred, for recovery from that, and 9 billion for mitigation.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 11/28/12 4:02pm

After the Storm

Mayor Bloomberg (Photo: Getty)

Mayor Bloomberg Doesn’t Have ‘One Complaint’ About Federal Response to Sandy

WASHINGTON — Mayor Michael Bloomberg is in Washington D.C. today meeting with lawmakers and other officials about his request for billions of dollars in federal aid to help the city recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy last month in New York. Though many City residents affected by Sandy have had some criticism about FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security’s response to the storm, at a press conference in the Capitol Building this afternoon, Mr. Bloomberg said he didn’t have a single issue with the federal followup to the hurricane.  Read More

By Colin Campbell 11/06/12 9:21pm

yawn

(Photo: Getty)

Barack Obama, Kirsten Gillibrand Win New York

No surprises here. President Barack Obama and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand both emerged victorious in New York State tonight.

Although countless voters remain in line at New York City precincts, which are required to remain open for all voters who showed up before 9 p.m., the Empire State’s overall preference for Democrats was still enough to overwhelm any ambiguity as to the ultimate victor. Read More

By Hunter Walker 9/06/12 12:11am

Fan Mail

Kirsten Gillibrand (Photo: Wikimedia)

Kirsten Gillibrand ‘Can’t Stop Thinking’ About Elizabeth Warren’s DNC Speech

CHARLOTTE, NC — New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand apparently really enjoyed the speech Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren delivered at the Democratic National Convention last night. Shortly after Ms. Warren left the stage, Ms. Gillibrand sent an email to her supporters encouraging them to give money to Ms. Warren.

“I can’t stop thinking about Elizabeth Warren’s speech,” Ms. Gillibrand wrote. “You could hear it in her voice and see it in her eyes: Elizabeth will never give up on the middle class. She’ll be relentless in making sure everyone gets a fair shot.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 8/27/12 12:14pm

press conferences

Wendy Long at today's press conference.

Wendy Long Offers Discount Legislative Services if She Can’t Bring Down Debt

Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Wendy Long is fed up about the federal debt and held a press conference in front of the National Debt Clock this morning to sound the alarm bells over its looming size. And, unsurprisingly, she blamed incumbent Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for the problem.

“Since she took office in January 2009 in the U.S. Senate and since Barack Obama was elected, the national debt at that point was $10.6 trillion, and it’s now about to be $16 trillion,” Ms. Long said. “This is unacceptable.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 8/20/12 2:50pm

Piling On

Kirsten Gillibrand (Photo: Wikimedia)

Kirsten Gillibrand: ‘We Can’t Let Akin Win’

Though it has been less than two hours since Missouri Congressman Todd Akin took to the airwaves and vowed to keep his senate campaign going, he is now reportedly ending that bid following the flap over a statement he made that women can’t get pregnant from “legitimate rape.” However, the rumors of Mr. Akin’s impending political demise didn’t stop New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from sending her supporters and email asking them to donate to Mr. Akin’s Democratic opponent, Claire McCaskill.

“In all my years of public service, I’ve heard a lot of shocking remarks on the campaign trail. But yesterday’s appalling comment by Tea Party senatorial candidate Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri took things to a whole new level,” Ms. Gillibrand wrote. “This from someone who’s tied with Senator Claire McCaskill in the polls, from someone who could tip the balance of power in the Republicans’ favor. We can’t let Akin win. We need to help Claire, who’s been a strong progressive voice in the Senate on behalf of women’s rights. Give to Claire McCaskill’s campaign today and help make sure Akin and his abhorrent views don’t reach the Senate.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 8/08/12 12:39pm

Cash Money

Today's press conference

Long Labels Gillibrand’s ‘Outspent’ Fundraising Claim as ‘Scare Tactics’

About a week ago, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sent an email to her supporters suggesting that she could be “outspent” in her campaign against Republican Wendy Long. This claim struck many as extremely incredulous, as she’s a prodigious fundraiser who’s already raised over $10 million so far, compared with a tiny fraction of that amount by Ms. Long. We asked Ms. Long about this during her press conference where she was endorsed by former Gov. George Pataki, causing her to similarly react with skepticism.

“I don’t know why she’s saying that. I don’t think it probably has any basis in fact,” Mr. Long answered. “We ran a very lean primary campaign, she has $10 million dollars.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 7/18/12 11:44am

Candid Camera

James O'Keefe posing as a government contractor in his new video. (Photo: YouTube)

James O’Keefe Takes on Shelly Silver, NY’s Unions And Lawmakers In Incriminating New Video

The latest video from controversial conservative provocateur James O’Keefe’s “Project Veritas” implies unions and several big name New York politicians are colluding to earn state and federal contracts for do-nothing companies purporting to hire for so-called “environmental jobs.”

In the clip, Mr. O’Keefe portrays an executive for a business that literally digs ditches and fills them back up with more dirt. He visits with John Hutchings, whom he describes as a “director” of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, and former assemblyman Ronald Tocci and another man who apparently discuss how easy it is for them to use their lobbyists and political connections to get cash for businesses.

“When we go for a bill, you know, you’ve got to get approval of the Senate, and the Assembly and then the Governor’s got to sign that. We have a lobbyist for the Senate [Republicans], and we have a lobbyist for the Democrats and that’s how we try to push our agenda through,” Mr. Hutchings says in the video.  Read More

By Colin Campbell 6/28/12 3:27pm

challenging gillibrand

Wendy Long (Photo: NY1)

With Bob Turner Gone, Wendy Long Gets Some Orthodox Love

Throughout Rep. Bob Turner’s unsuccessful U.S. Senate campaign this year, the candidate often cited his support from the Jewish community to argue for his unique general election appeal and why he was the sole candidate who could beat Kirsten Gillibrand in the fall. Mr. Turner, of course, won in upset special election last year by scoring high margins among observant Jewish voters. Yet, on the front page of Hamodia, a prominent Orthodox Jewish daily, Mr. Turner’s former opponent and current Republican nominee Wendy Long saw her praises sung.

“Wendy Long was chosen by Republicans to take on Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who has championed a progressive social agenda at the expense of the weakening economy,” Yochonon Donn, an editor at Hamodia, wrote. “Long has promised that she has a unique experience in fighting that.” Read More