Patterson Appoints Representative Gilliland as New York's Newest Senator

U.S. Representative Kirsten Gillibrand, 42, from New York's 20th Congressional District is now the Junior Senator from New York. She was appointed by Governor David Patterson to fill the seat vacated by Secretary of State Clinton.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - U. S. Representative Kirsten Gillibrand, 42, from a rural eastern district of the state, has been appointed the new United States Senator from New York. The appointment needs no further confirmation, allowing her to be seating very soon on the other side of the Capitol.

Taking a cue from Illinois' problems, Governor David Patterson chose his words carefully on Friday, outlining the selection process and the criteria by which he selected the state's next Senator. Gillibrand will hold the seat vacated by now Secretary of State Hilary Clinton until the special election in November of 2010.

Two other names were most readily connected to this appointment. Caroline Kennedy, who gained new prominence during the campaign of President Barack Obama, was seen as a likely. She abruptly withdrew her application for the seat on Thursday. The other possible candidate was State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

"She is whip-smart and hard working," Rep. Anthony Weiner of New York City told MSNBC News. "She has made helping upstate her mission, but she understands that New York City is the economic engine that makes the state go. I'm going to work hard to help her be a success. She was a great choice among a lot of great candidates."

A graduate of Dartmouth College with a Law degree from UCLA, Gillibrand is a relative newcomer in New York politics. She gained the seat as Representative for the 20th Congressional District in 2006 by defeating Republican contender John Sweeney. Last November she defeated Sandy Treadwell, an heir to part of the General Electric fortune and the former state Republican chairman.

Often described as a conservative "Blue Dog" Democrat, many believe she will find some opposition for the special election in 2010 as well as the general election in 2012.

Gillibrand is no stranger to Washington, however, serving in the Housing and Urban Development Department during the Clinton administration.

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