CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
June 3, 2009 – 6:55 p.m.
New York Throwdown: Maloney Prepares to Challenge Gillibrand in Senate Primary
By Jonathan Allen and Emily Cadei, CQ Staff
Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney plans to announce a primary challenge to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on her Web site Thursday morning, according to two sources including a member of New York’s congressional delegation.
Maloney disputed that characterization in a brief hallway interview.
“Where did you get that from?” she asked. “It’s not true.”
Regardless of the timing or venue, several of her New York colleagues, including Reps. Jerrold Nadler and Anthony D. Weiner, said Maloney has told them she will run. She has also indicated to political allies in her “silk stocking” district on Manhattan’s Upper East Side that she is preparing a bid.
New York Assemblyman Jonathan L. Bing, whose district overlaps with Maloney’s and who shares a close working relationship with the congresswoman, said an announcement on Maloney’s Senate intentions was pending, but could not confirm a specific date.
The decision to run sets up what could be an expensive primary.
Gillibrand was appointed earlier this year by Gov. David A. Paterson when Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton became secretary of State, with the special election in 2010 to determine who will serve out the remainder of Clinton’s term. Since then, Gillibrand has struggled to consolidate support among Democrats, particularly those from downstate, and her centrist voting record during two terms in the House could provide fodder for a divisive contest.
That is something national Democrats have tried to avoid, with New York’s senior senator, Charles E. Schumer , Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Robert Menendez and the White House all taking pains to clear Gillibrand’s path to the nomination.
Their main target on that front was Rep. Steve Israel who indicated to colleagues this spring that he was preparing a run, only to abruptly shift course in May at the behest of President Obama.
Up to this point, Democrats have not felt the need to stage the same sort of intervention with Maloney or with Rep. Carolyn McCarthy , an anti-gun activist who represents the 4th District, on Long Island.
Israel, said one Democratic operative who asked not to be identified, “could have been a real problem, a real threat,” thanks to his popularity downstate as well as his fundraising abilities.
“Neither of the Carolyns pose a real threat,” the operative said.
Not everyone in New York agrees.
“It’s a very real fight,” said Nadler, who has not yet endorsed either candidate. “Carolyn’s a strong candidate and Kirsten hasn’t yet established herself.”
Bing agreed that Maloney would make a formidable challenger to Gillibrand. He pointed to Maloney’s fundraising base — her wealthy district is one of the nation’s top sources of political fundraising and Maloney raised $427,000 in the first quarter of 2009, with $1.1 million in cash on hand. Though impressive for a safe House member, that pales in comparison to the $2.3 million raised by Gillibrand, who also had $2.2 million in cash on hand.
Bing predicted that Maloney would benefit from the “tremendous amount of press” she recently received for cosponsoring legislation overhauling credit card fee practices (PL 111-24).
He said Maloney’s legislative record is “more significant than Sen. Gillibrand’s.”
Gillibrand was first elected to the House in 2006 from a moderate swing district based in the Upper Hudson Valley, where she compiled a record on gun rights, immigration and fiscal conservatism at odds with the base of New York’s Democratic party. Maloney will no doubt seek to exploit Gillibrand’s House votes in a primary.
In May, CQ studied the differences in the House voting records of Gillibrand, Maloney and Israel, revealing that Maloney, a member of the liberal Progressive Caucus, has a voting record that is significantly more in tune with Democratic orthodoxy than Gillibrand’s.
But Gillibrand has been making inroads with constituencies that once were critical of her appointment. Many of New York’s immigration and gun control advocates are now singing her praises. And Assemblyman Peter Rivera of the Bronx endorsed the junior senator last month, saying he has been pleased by her “willingness to listen to diverse points of view and meaningfully focus on the needs of new constituents.”
Gillibrand also has cornered the support of women’s groups in the state, including NARAL Pro-Choice New York and EMILY’s List, cutting off a key line of support to Maloney.
The Gillibrand campaign has been aggressive in rolling out a series of early endorsements from prominent state lawmakers, labor unions and House members, but most of the key downstate political players remain on the sidelines.
CQ Politics rates that 2010 race “Leans Democrat.”
Comments
So it looks like Maloney's vanity has got the better of her and she's going to primary a promising young woman from her own party who has the potential to represent the whole state with dedication and intelligence for the next 20 years... and let's not forget that this is the same Maloney who said that there's a special place reserved in hell for women who don't support other qualified women.
During her two terms in the House? A bit of a stretch as she was appointed to the Senate a few days after being sworn in for her second term.
Sam E: What are you? A paid shill for Gillibrand? This is a woman who earned a 100% approval rating from the NRA and has been anti-immigrant her entire career. Since being appointed, she's flipped her positions 180 degrees. I'll take Maloney. At least she's consistent.
What a shame Carolyn Maloney cannot contain her ego on this one. She has a senior position in the House of Representatives which she will put at risk if she runs and loses, which is the likely scenario. Better she should stay where she can do the most good for New York and support a brilliant young woman who is working hard to become an outstanding US Senator.
I know a lot of folks in New York, and no one is particularly enthusiastic about Gillibrand. And yet here are "Sam E" and "Penny Quince" making pretty much the same point in surprisingly similar language: "promising young woman" and "brilliant young woman. Odds are, it's the same poster, who seems to have a vested interest in protecting Gillibrand from a primary challenge that she'll probably lose.
Matthew, no I'm not paid but did look at Gillibrand's record because that what responsible voters do ... and yes, she did change her views on guns and is adapting her stance on immigration to suit her new constituency. The so-called flip-flop on gay marriage was from supporting civil unions with full rights actually to using the word 'marriage', which she did before the November election. Other than that, she's been consistent on most other issues and is endorsed by an impressive array of progressive organizations. If the gun issue is enough to turn you off her permanently, so be it but she matches or betters Maloney (who voted for the war) in many other areas and will get my vote.
Rep Maloney should pay attention to: "... Gillibrand has been making inroads with constituencies that once were critical of her appointment. Many of New York's immigration and gun control advocates are now singing her praises. And Assemblyman Peter Rivera of the Bronx endorsed the junior senator last month, saying he has been pleased by her "willingness to listen to diverse points of view and meaningfully focus on the needs of new constituents." Gillibrand also has cornered the support of women's groups in the state, including NARAL Pro-Choice New York and EMILY's List, cutting off a key line of support to Maloney." Also she should pay attention Gillibrand's strongly endorsement by Sen Schumer, President Bill Clinton and Robert Kenndy Jr, and the statewide network of people who supported Hillary Clinton for Senator and President. Instead it seems as though Maloney is listening to high paid consultants and pundits who want her work, and a few community chatter boxes.
Has anyone noticed that Chuck Schumers' seat appears to be settled and the two ladies are left to fight it out over the one seat. First, I don't really know Maloney's policies so I'd have to listen to her nor was I very familiar with Gilibrand until David picked her. Truly, I'd like to see two women from NY. Because 1. there are 80 men in the Senate and if you want to break up the "politics as usual" you must start there. 2.. Because Chuck has not served NY well, although some constituencies (wallstreet, Jewish Caucus) have benefited tremendously. 3. It is time for some new blood and new ideas in the Senate--I like everyday people who are progressive and moving forward like Majora Carter--she's young and she's on the vanguard of Green technology and jobs. I think it is also necessary to elect someone who is UNION oriented, whether that be from 1199, seiu, cwa, electrical brotherhood or whoever. We need someone who is not a millionaire and will not take contributions from the usual suspects.
I hope weakness dosnt draw george pataki into the race. I saw that on fivethirtyeight.com
This is good news. I get a chance to vote against Congresswoman Maloney and she will not be representing the Upper Eastside anymore. Why? Simple, first her District Staff and Washington, D.C., staff can't find the time to respond to e-mails. It seems that Congresswoman Maloney is responsive when her office "likes" your input but not as much when there isn't a good response. Next, she voted for all the bailouts of corporations, especially AIG, the banks and WALL STREET. She voted for the Middle East War. Lastly, my sister is 56-years old serving in Khandar, Afghanistan. I wrote two letters to Congresswoman Maloney. I never received a reply. I tried a different route asking Councilwoman Jessica Lappin to forward a letter to Congresswoman Maloney about the War in Iraq & Afghanistan and my sister serving with the U.S. Navy in that awful desert. Council Member Lappin did. Still no reply! So, how is Congresswoman Maloney going to handle incoming mail Statewide when she cannot handle it from her constituents? Michael Zullo, Upper Eastside, Manhattan
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