Saratoga County Democrats put support behind granddaughter of Albany political icon
By KENNETH C. CROWE II
SARATOGA SPRINGS -- The Saratoga County Democratic Committee unanimously endorsed a granddaughter of Albany Democratic icon Dorothea "Polly" Noonan Tuesday night as its candidate in the 20th Congressional District.
Kirsten Gillibrand, 38, of Greenport, is the committee's choice to take on U.S. Rep. John Sweeney, R-Clifton Park, in the sprawling 10-county district.
"As a 10-year-old girl, I would listen to my grandmother discuss issues and she made a lasting impression on me," Gillibrand said of Noonan, founder of the Albany County Democratic Women's Club and confidante of legendary Albany Mayor Erastus Corning 2nd. Noonan died in 2003.
Gillibrand plans to carry forward her grandmother's passion for politics against Sweeney, a four-term incumbent in a district where Republicans comprise 43 percent of the electorate and Democrats, 24 percent.
"It's time for a change in leadership," Gillibrand said.
The first-time candidate said she intends to go after Sweeney on his record in the House, on Social Security and the Republican Party's failure to provide a strategic vision for the war in the Iraq.
The county committee's endorsement is the first to be made in the selection of a Democratic candidate to face Sweeney.
"We wanted to get a head start. She's an incredible individual who promises to raise the money it's going to take," County Democratic Chairman Larry Bulman said.
Local Democrats are looking toward next year's elections after sweeping to control of the Saratoga Springs City Council.
Saratoga County Republican Chairman John F. "Jasper" Nolan said he was surprised by the early endorsement nearly a year before the 2006 election. He said he anticipated Sweeney would run a hard, well-financed campaign.
Gillibrand has raised $119,945 as of Sept. 30, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. Sweeney has $712,933 in his campaign treasury, according to his disclosure filing on Sept. 30.
Gillibrand is a partner in the law firm of Boies, Schiller and Flexner in Albany. She served as special counsel to Andrew Cuomo when he was secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the administration of President Clinton.
Gillibrand is married to Jonathan Gillibrand. They have a 2-year-old son, Theodore. She is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of California at Los Angeles Law School.