Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Democratic

BACKGROUND: Gillibrand, 51, of Brunswick, also is running for re-election on the Working Families Party, Independence and Women's Equality Party lines. She graduated from Dartmouth College and UCLA School of Law. She worked as a corporate attorney and special counsel at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She was elected in 2006 to the House and appointed in 2009 to the Senate, where she won a special election in 2010 and won her first full term in 2012. She is assigned to the Senate committees on environment and public works; armed services; agriculture, nutrition and forestry; and aging. Gillibrand is married with two sons.

ISSUES: Gillibrand's marquee legislative achievements include advocating for the repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that prevented gay members of the armed forces from serving openly and successfully advocating for the passages of the STOCK Act making it illegal for elected officials to benefit from inside financial information. She also supported the Zadroga 9/11 health bill helping first responders and survivors. This past year, Gillibrand has successfully pushed for components in recent bills that benefit New York State's manufacturing and farming sectors, she said. She has become known for addressing sexual misconduct in the military, at colleges and in Congress. This midterm election season, with her political action committee and campaign trail appearances, she has boosted Democratic candidates, particularly women, in competitive races nationwide. Her Senate challenger, former financier Chele Farley, has criticized Gillibrand as more focused on a national profile and potential 2020 White House bid than on helping New Yorkers. Gillibrand has told Newsday: “I’m sure I will look at things in the future, but I’m very focused on serving in the U.S. Senate."