Carolyn Maloney Will Challenge Kirsten Gillibrand in 2010

Kirsten Gillibrand may have creeped her way under the radar as Governor Paterson's surprise choice to replace Hillary Clinton as senator in January, but her path towards winning the election to keep the seat won't be as smooth. After much speculation, it appears that Manhattan Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney will throw her hat into the ring to challenge Gillibrand in the Democratic primary next year. Maloney, along with Long Island Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, have been critical of Gillibrand's former pro-gun stances and rapid "evolution" since she was named to the Senate. Recently Maloney said, "Some people run to get elected. I spend my time doing things. I've never lost an election. I don't intend to start now." The 61-year-old former city councilwoman faces an uphill battle against Gillibrand's quickly amassed war chest and the endorsements she's been racking up, most recently from powerful pro-choice group NARAL. An early Quinnipiac poll shows Maloney with a slight lead, but most voters undecided at this early stage.