Many Politicians Not Pleased With Governor's Appointment Of Gillibrand
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New York's newest senator Kirsten Gillibrand was met warmly by those at the governor's announcement of her position Friday, but there are plenty of people across the state who are not pleased she's going to the United States Senate. NY1's Michael Scotto filed the following report. Kirsten Gillibrand is now one of New York's big political players.
The upstate politician may not have been the person getting all the attention over the last two months, but she is now being praised by politicians from both parties.
"She has certainly demonstrated in her two years plus of service that she's a very accomplished legislator," said former New York Senator Al D'Amato.
Gillibrand is a Democrat who won her upstate congressional seat in an overwhelmingly Republican district. That accomplishment could help her in rural and suburban neighborhoods wary of Democratic politicians.
But Gillibrand has her work cut out for in New York City, especially because of her positions on gun control and immigration.
"I think her position on immigration reform has been very defensive, piecemeal and partially anti-immigrant," said Chung-Wha Hong of the New York Immigration Coalition.
Even Gillibrand's supporters worry about her voting record, which they say has hampered efforts to fight illegal guns.
"Guns are no good, okay? In the hands of our police is where they belong and all the other armed services, but not in the hands of so many people and so easily," said Queens Borough President Helen Marshall.
Some believe Gillibrand's positions will eventually evolve now that she's representing the entire state.
"She said that she was willing to talk about it and see what the impact of her decisions were, and given her statewide position, she may adjust them now," said State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith.