Bronx Dem Party endorses Gillibrand

Bronx Dem Party endorses Gillibrand

Borough Democrats prefer her Gilli-brand. The Bronx County Democratic Committee endorsed incumbent United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in her Fall 2010 bid for election on Wednesday, February 10.

“I am proud and honored to announce our support,” Bronx Dem boss and Assemblyman Carl Heastie said. “Her attentiveness to the concerns of New Yorkers has been superb and her cooperative spirit has earned her a vote of confidence from our organization.”

Gillibrand visited the Bronx and pled her case to Heastie and friends in January. She beat out probable challenger and former Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford Jr., a Manhattan resident, for the nod.

Governor David Paterson appointed Gillibrand, a former Congresswoman, to fill Hillary Clinton’s seat in January 2009, when the former First Lady joined President Barack Obama’s cabinet.

“Senator Gillibrand has been working hard for the Bronx,” Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said. “She has shown herself to be a strong leader for my borough and to be responsive to the concerns of my constituents.”

In a press release, Bronx Dems highlighted Gillibrand’s commitment to tax cuts for small businesses and her work on healthcare reform.

“I strongly endorse Senator Gillibrand,” Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz said. “She has proven herself, in a very short period of time, to be extremely knowledge, extraordinarily hardworking and highly effective with respect to every imaginable issue of concern to Bronxites.”

Councilwoman Annabel Palma praised Gillibrand’s defense of women’s access to reproductive healthcare.

Heastie also met with Ford in January. The Bronx will represent nearly five percent of the vote at the Democratic state convention.

Reach reporter Daniel Beekman at 718 742-3383 or dbeekman@cnglocal.com