After successfully winning the Congressional seat vacated by Anthony "Crotch Shot" Weiner in a wacky special election last year, Rep. Bob Turner now has his sights set on Kirsten Gillibrand's Senate seat. Chatter about the possibility started yesterday and Turner confirmed, "I will travel to the Republican State Convention in Rochester later this week and humbly ask for the Republican nomination for the United States Senate. I will respectfully ask for the Conservative nomination a few days later at that Party's convention. I have made my intentions known to the other Republican candidates in this race." more ›

Fed up with the federal government's inaction on behalf of undocumented youth, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has penned an impassioned editorial for the Daily News, calling for New York to lead the way on immigration reform. "It is shameful that Congress can’t even come together to do the bare minimum and pass the DREAM Act, which opens the door to permanent residency through military service and higher education for thousands of immigrant young people whose parents brought them to this country as children," she writes. In December 2010, the DREAM Act was killed at the federal level as senate votes were cast largely along party lines resulting in a 55-41 split. In a change of pace, Gillibrand's appeal is aimed at local constituencies: more ›

Whether it's refusing to use a national tragedy as a xenophobic soapbox, keeping their genitals out of the public eye, or nobly declining to have sex with prostitutes while wearing diapers, we can always count on our elected representatives to put aside petty differences and do what's right for America. But shocking new data shows that Congress has lost touch with average Americans and has grown richer over the last several decades, at a faster rate than even the richest 10% of the country. more ›

In the wake of same-sex marriage passing in NY, as well as the federal repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, legislators are now turning their attention toward a federal bill to lift the last bans on gay couples and individuals adopting children. "This legislation would open thousands of new foster and adoptive homes to children ensuring they are raised in loving families," Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said of her "Every Child Deserves a Family Act." more ›

Last night, President Obama announced that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), who was the apparent target of an assassination attempt, had opened her eyes for the first time since being shot in the head on Saturday. And it turns out that Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was holding her hand at the time. Gillibrand, who flew to Tucson with Obama and other Congressional members on Air Force One, was in Giffords' hospital room with Giffords' husband and family, as well as House minority leader Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Debbie Waserman Schultz, and the junior Senator from New York said, "It was like witnessing a miracle." more ›

Yesterday, politicians of all parties came together to support Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords's speedy recovery after she was shot in the head at her "Congress at Your Corner" event in Tuscon. Suspected gunman Jared Lee Loughner is currently in federal custody, and many New York politicians have released statements on the unthinkable event. "This hateful crime is a tragedy beyond words," said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who dined with Giffords less than a week ago. "More than just a rising political star and phenomenal talent, she is an incredible person." more ›

To the joy of Jon Stewart (presumably) and many a New Yorker it appears that the Senate really is going to vote on the 9/11 Health Bill, AKA the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, either tomorrow or Wednesday. The vote comes after its supporters, NY Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, managed to cut the cost of the bill from $7.4 billion down to $6 billion. But how'd they do that? more ›

After Republican Senators filibustered the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act because, well, they wanted to make sure they got their $900 billion in Bush tax cuts, there's been a determined push to get the legislation passed before the end of this year. Now New York's Democratic Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer say they believe there are enough votes from Republicans to pass a less expensive, $6 billion version of the bill. more ›

Because at this point it wouldn't be a Monday without some WikiLeaks-related news, a brief rundown of what's new with the secret-spewing website and its incarcerated leader Julian Assange—from Assange's alleged (and outdated) OKCupid profile to the new leaker in town, and more: more ›

Forty-one Republican Senators voted against the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which would have provided $7.4 billion in health care and compensation to 9/11 responders and their survivors. According to the AP, "The bill failed on a test vote, 57-42. Fifty-seven Democrats voted for the bill and 41 Republicans opposed it. Sen. Harry Reid, the Democratic leader, switched his vote to 'no' at the last moment, a parliamentary move that allows him to bring the measure up again for a vote." And the GOP refused because they want the Bush tax cuts extension passed first. Now we know: Money for millionaires > 9/11 first responders. more ›

By now you've surely solidified your Thanksgiving menu and are bracing for the onslaught of dishes you'll be faced with after the Jets game. But in case you're one of those people who just can't help planning next year, the state's politicians want to help out. WNYC blog It's A Free Country has compiled Thanksgiving recipes from some of the state's pols. Don't worry, Sandra Lee didn't contribute any of her wacky concoctions. (Kwanzaa Cake anyone?) more ›

In a feature about Mayor Bloomberg and Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo's relationship, New York magazine offers some insight on how Bloomberg felt about former governor Spitzer. A Bloomberg strategist says, “I thought Mike would have hated [Cuomo]. I thought he would have dismissed Andrew as a lifelong politician. And he usually makes snap judgments. The first time he had an extended meeting with Eliot Spitzer, he walked out of it and said, ‘This is the same guy as Rudy. Take their politics out of it, their personality and management style are the same.’ Kirsten Gillibrand he dismissed even faster." But with Cuomo, Bloomberg just said, "Seems like a decent guy; we’ll see what he does going forward." more ›

In what is surely a great message to young girls everywhere, the Post chronicles how Senator Kirsten Gillibrand transformed herself from a somewhat frumpy, unknown politician to the "hottest member" of the Senate with a 51% approval rating. It turns out all you need is inner beauty intelligence an honest heart $10.9 million, 33 consultants and a massive weight loss plan. more ›

Vice President Joe Biden was in town yesterday to lend his support to Rep. Tim Bishop and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. According to Newsday, he said, "This is a real important election. It's more important than the one that got Barack and me elected, it literally is. Because there, at least, we would have continued to drift another four years, which would be bad. Now at least we've stopped the drift and are starting to head in the right direction." (Biden believes the Democrats will hold onto control of Congress.) Also: "Biden stumbled over Gillibrand's name at least twice, calling her 'Kristen' instead of Kirsten." more ›

In a new profile in Vogue, Kirsten Gillibrand is painted as an everywoman, equally comfortable talking about finance as she is about farming. Jonathan Van Meter compares the Senator to Hillary Clinton, who ten years ago won the same Senate seat with a similar "listening tour" of New York and spent her early days in the Senate "charming many of her Senate colleagues on the other side of the aisle with her intelligence, her tirelessness, and her deft ability to work the center of American politics." But none of that matters because did you see that slideshow? Gillibrand is pretty hot. more ›

Last night, Mayor Bloomberg held a fundraiser for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) and it seems like Reid was very spirited, because he told the crowd, "We in the Senate refer to Sen. Gillibrand as the hottest member." Politico reports, "The comment prompted Gillibrand"—who has lost weight lately—"to turn red, according to the sources, and created a bit of stir among the small crowd there. 'It was pretty shocking when he said it,' said one source familiar with the remark and the reaction." Reid's spokesman said, "What can I say, she made The Hilll's 'Most Beautiful list. Of course he also went on to praise her skill and tenacity and described her as an effective member of the New York delegation as well." more ›

Yes, Joseph DioGuardi, dad of Kara, won the Republican Senate primary and will challenge Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for her seat. After petitioning to be on the ballot, DioGuardi, a former Congressman, beat out Bruce Blakeman, a Long Island lawyer who is also known as Paul McCartney's girlfriend's ex-husband, and David Malpass, who was backed by Mayor Bloomberg's girlfriend. DioGuardi said, “We brought together Conservative and Republican lines. Do you realize what that means? Senator Gillibrand’s worst nightmare is coming true tonight. The NY Times reports, "Ms. Gillibrand was favored over whichever Republican she faced, because she is well financed and well known and has made efforts to build bipartisan support." more ›

Our own Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has been named the 3rd most beautiful on the hill by The Hill in their annual list of fine politicos, 50 Most Beautiful People in Washington. Gillibrand is also the highest ranking New Yorker, mother, lawmaker, and blonde. The first two on the list, Alexis Latifi of Alabama, and Laura Donahoe of Pennsylvania, are almost 20 years Gillibrand's junior (she's 43) and a staff assistant and lobbyist, respectively. The title she received on the list, "Supermom" (pundit-speak for MILF), emphasizes Gillibrand's unique ability to spend time with her husband and two sons while serving as a Senator and writing down everything she eats, possibly in order to top lists of hot politicians. more ›

Diana Taylor is best known to New Yorkers as Mayor Bloomberg's girlfriend, but she's raising her public profile as a political contender. She recently confirmed that, yes, she was considering running against Senator Kirsten Gillibrand this fall, but decided not to, because "My significant other is the mayor of New York City, so that would be really complicated." And now, she tells NBC New York, "I think I could have" won over Gillibrand. more ›

Perhaps that "Healthy Foods Financing Initiative" was more of a personal move for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, now that she's trying to lose her baby weight. After giving birth 20 months ago, Gillibrand has been dieting her weight off. And, like any good celebrity, she's posted her diet tricks online. more ›

Yesterday, the NY State GOP ended its "disastrous" convention by voting on candidates to challenge Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Bruce Blakeman, a Nassau County lawyer (and ex-husband of Paul McCartney's squeeze) got most of the votes, but former Bear Stearns economist David Malpass got enough votes for there to be a Republican primary this fall. more ›

To no one's surprise, NY Democrats picked Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer to run for their Senate seats this fall. According to the AP, "Schumer reported $21.8 million in his campaign account last month and polls put him far ahead of potential Republican challengers," and WNYT says of the junior Senator, "Gillibrand has been considered more vulnerable than Schumer by Republicans, but no prominent Republican is running against her. Polls show Gillibrand leading potential challengers." more ›

Rush & Molloy are hearing from people unhappy with NY State Republican chairman Ed Cox, who is also known as Richard Nixon's son-in-law and the guy who wants a former Democrat to be on the Republican ticket for governor, and have a theory about why it's been so hard to find a Republican to run against Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Cox blockers suspect that "Cox wants to 'throw' the race so he and wife Tricia's 31-year-old son, Christopher, can run against Gilly two years from now." more ›

Mayor Bloomberg and Sen. Chuck Schumer haven't been seeing eye to eye recently over Wall Street reform, a rift made more apparent by Bloomberg's recent trip to Washington. Bloomberg, concerned that reform will inhibit Wall Street's revenues and its effect on NYC's revenue, allegedly spoke out against Schumer in a GOP meeting, calling him "AWOL" and criticizing him for not defending the financial industry after building his career on it. Bloomberg said Schumer's absence "is a real problem for New York City,” according to one Republican Senator. more ›

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand proposed $1 billion in grants and loans yesterday for her "Healthy Food Financing Initiative," aimed at building grocery stores in areas that lack access to fresh food. AP reports that the measure would try to help almost four million New York residents living in "food deserts" by providing startup grants for 350 new grocery stores statewide. She said, "By building new grocery stores in underserved areas across the state we can give people the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives, save billions in health care costs, and create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs." more ›

Save Ellis Island started up in 1999, partnering with the Parks Service to fix up the site's historic architecture. In 2007 preservationists completed work on the Art Deco style Ferry Building and they've more than half finished the Laundry/Hopital Outbuilding, where immigrants' sheets were washed. To renovate the island's other 27 buildings will cost an additional $350 million. more ›

Junior Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has garnered the approval of Brooklyn party boss Vito Lopez, "killing any chance of her facing a primary," according to the Post. Unlike her former rival Harold Ford Jr., she hasn't been spotted lunching with the Brooklyn Democratic Party chairman, but he does offer some lukewarm praise of the Paterson appointee. "There were many people who could have run a credible challenge. But in the past year, she has gotten around and she has gotten better," said Lopez, adding that he wouldn't make his endorsement official for four or five weeks. Maybe she's snared him with her "mystical powers?" more ›

One potential opponent after another has considered challenging Kirsten Gillibrand in the upcoming race for her senate seat, but though she’s been called “bland” and out of touch, most have stepped back. So how has the junior Democratic senator—who’s never been elected statewide and hasn’t performed well in the polls—staved off rivals like Tenesseean Harold Ford Jr., Daily News publisher Mort Zukerman, ex-governor George Pataki and more? Rev. Al Sharpton suggests that she “either has mystical powers or the best luck I have ever seen in politics…It is amazing.” more ›