The Kirsten Gillibrand campaign announced a bit of a coup today--that they had secured the endorsements of 52 of the 62 Democratic county committee chairs of New York state for her to retain her Senate seat next year. Some of the chairs, like Erie County's Len Lenihan, had previously endorsed her, but most were new additions, including several (naming no names) who I know were previously not on board with Gillibrand. Some choice quotes below:
"I am proud to endorse Kirsten Gillibrand for U.S. Senate because she will be a strong advocate for families and businesses on Long Island," said Chairman Jay Jacobs of Nassau County. "In just four short months, Kirsten has proven to leaders on Long Island that she understands our challenges and shares our values. From her efforts to reduce property taxes to securing funding to create jobs on the Island, Kirsten is working tirelessly on solutions for families and businesses in Nassau County."
"I am pleased to endorse Kirsten Gillibrand for U.S. Senate. Senator Gillibrand understands the needs of families during these hard economic times," said Len Lenihan, Erie County Chair. "Senator Gillibrand knows that high speed rail is a key component of Western New York’s economic recovery. She is working with President Obama and our Congressional Delegation to create jobs in Erie County and secure the federal dollars we need to promote economic growth."
"I support Kirsten because she cares about our Dairy Farmers and wants to create jobs in rural New York," said Orleans County Chair Jeanne Crane.
Wyoming County Chair, Harold Bush said, "I support Kirsten because she's really focused on turning this economy around and creating new jobs."
The ten remaining holdout are the five counties that make up the five boroughs of New York City, plus Delaware, Niagara, Fulton, Suffolk, and Tompkins counties.
Completely aside from the impact that this has on the possibility of a Senate primary next year, this says great things about what's going on in New York on the grassroots level--that the statewide base outside the traditional major centers like NYC, Buffalo, and Albany, is growing and worth pursuing, making it possible to run a campaign that includes all of the state of New York.
"I am honored to have the endorsements of each of these County Chairs," Senator Gillibrand said. "They are distinguished leaders in our party and know exactly what is going on in each of their communities. I pledge to always be a partner and a voice for them, as we work to create jobs and pass President Obama's agenda."