Gillibrand a "Win" for upstate NY

Now after the former congresswoman of the 20th Congressional District was officially sworn in on Tuesday, local politicos are speaking out over the significance of what her appointment means to upstate New York and who would best fill her vacant seat.

Saratoga County Democratic Committee Chairman Larry Bulman said he was very happy about Gillibrand's appointment to the post and also impressed with Gov. Paterson for looking upstate to fill the seat.

"It is going to be important to have someone like Senator Gillibrand to fight for our veterans, seniors, working families, farmers and upstate needs at the state and national level," he said. "I thought it was a brilliant move."

Bulman, who has known Gillibrand for 10 years, said he has been fortunate to see the work she has done since being elected to Congress in 2007 and is sure when the other 52 counties in New York State see what she has done for the 10 counties in the 20th Congressional District there will be no more controversy over her appointment.

Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Safety Ron Kim, a Democrat, said although there has been a lot of criticism surrounding her appointment he thinks she was the best person Paterson could have picked and that it will be good for upstate to have her representation in the Senate.

"I think we are getting a Senator that can hit the ground running and given everything that has happened in the last year, we need that," Kim said.

Josh Fitzpatrick, a spokesman for Republican Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, said the assemblyman believes that it remains to be seen whether or not she will fight for the rights of upstate families, farmers and small businesses.

"He [Tedisco] is hopeful that she will as we need to ensure upstate is not forgotten," he said.

Now that Gillibrand has officially vacated her seat, the race for who will fill the post is heating up as both parties will have at least 30 days, and no more than 40 days, to hold a special election from the time Paterson calls one. The Republicans have already confirmed Tedisco as their candidate after Republican County Chairman from the 10 counties in the district agreed to endorse him at a meeting held on Tuesday

"I appreciate the trust they placed in me to serve as our party's standard bearer for the 20th Congressional District. It's a responsibility I take very seriously," Tedisco said in a statement following his endorsement. "This race is going to be a sprint, not a marathon. I will reach out to all voters across the 20th Congressional District to communicate my message of 'yes we will' lower taxes, strengthen our economy and create more jobs."

Other Republicans previously under consideration were State Senator Betty Little, John Faso, Richard Wager and former congressional candidate Sandy Treadwell.

The Democrats on the other hand are in no hurry to endorse their candidate, according to Bulman who himself was a potential candidate before deciding to pull his name from consideration on Tuesday. While names like Tracy Egan, Scott Murphy, Carol Schrager and former New York Rangers goalie Mike Richter have been thrown around as potential Democratic candidates, Bulman said Political Director of New York State AFL-CIO Suzy Ballantyne of Clifton Park would be a great successor for Gillibrand's vacant seat.

"She is a heavyweight who has been fighting for working families for years," Bulman said. "If nominated she would be an instant leader."

Bulman said he could confirm Ballantyne's interest in the congressional seat, including that she had met with members of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to discuss the endorsement on Tuesday.

Kim has also announced his interest in the seat, pointing to his unique mix of experience, education, temperament as an edge for him to win a special election.

"I haven't spent the last two or three years in a legislature looking at what has happened to our middle class, I have actually sat across the table with people who have lost their homes and can't afford to make ends meet because of health care bills as a bankruptcy attorney and consumer protection litigator," Kim said. "This experience has given me expertise that I can bring to bear in Congress to make sure that large financial institutions can never repeat this dangerous downward economic spiral."

Kim also said that out of the 30 people currently being considered for the seat, he is one of the few natives living in the district and he is one of the only public officials on the Democratic side with not only legislative experience but also administrative experience. He expects to meet with the Democratic chairmen in the 10 counties to interview for the post sometime this weekend.

Bulman said whoever the Democratic chairmen decide to endorse, it is important that they find someone who is hardworking, intelligent, ethical and willing to commit to the district like Gillibrand had.

"We are not worried about having a candidate by the end of the day; we are concerned with having the best candidate," he said.