By Gordon Woodworth, Chronicle News Editor

The Chronicle, February 2nd, 2006

"I am here to launch my campaign to bring accountable government and honest leadership back to Washington," said Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand in officially announcing her candidacy for Congress at the Canfield Casino in Saratoga Springs Tuesday.

"Our system of government - our democracy - is built on a foundation of trust.  Today, that foundation is cracked," she said.  "I am running this campaign to earn your trust and to help repair that foundation."

Mrs. Gillibrand, an attorney who lives in Hudson, seeks the 20th district seat now held by Republican John Sweeney, whose supporters paraded outside the casino as Mrs. Gillibrand's campaign kick-off occurred.

Lawyer, Albany native, UCLA grad

Mrs. Gillibrand, an Albany native and Dartmouth College graduate who received her law degree at UCLA, was introduced by Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Eliot Spitzer.

Mr. Spitzer said: "We are moving in the wrong direction, and we have an administration in Washington that simply won't face up to it.  Kirsten is a voice for fundamental change.  She has the passion and will be victorious because of it."

"And when Kirsten wants to ski, she does it in New York state," Mr. Spitzer continued, referring to Mr. Sweeney's recent fund-raising ski trip to Utah.  "And the run she will be on wont be payday and easy money."

Glens Falls Mayor Roy Akins and Warren County Democratic Chairman Bill Montfort were among the dignitaries behind Mrs. Gillibrand on the dais.

Gillibrand referenced Paul Ryan

In her speech, Mrs. Gillibrand referred to Paul Ryan, the Pilot Knob resident who is spearheading efforts to incorporate the village of East Lake George.

She said that in her campaign travels, "I also met Paul from Washington County, a life long Republican who is fed up with the irresponsible spending, hidden handouts and no-bid contracts that are streaming out of Washington."

Mr. Ryan, who attended the announcement wearing a National Republican Party pin and a Gillibrand sticker, said: "I like her fiscal policies.  She's talking about responsible government, not borrowing money, only spending what we can afford, and she understands the pinch of the property taxpayer, because she is from Columbia County, which has very similar issues to our own.

"I don't think we're in a time when people can vote just down party lines.  I think Sweeney has been a very big-spending Congressman.  He's very big on bringing pork back to the district, but he never met a spending bill he didn't like.  We don't need more pork, we need smaller government."

Bulman: Republicans are nervous

Larry Bulman, chairman of the Saratoga County Democratic Committee, asked by The Chronicle if he feels Mrs. Gillibrand has a chance against Mr. Sweeney, a four-term incumbent, said: "I absolutely do.  I think the Republicans know she has a chance."

Mr. Bulman interpreted the pro-Sweeney rally going on outside the casino as proof of the GOP's nervousness.

"I ran Jean Bordewich's campaign when she ran against Sweeney for the open seat after Jerry Solomon left," he said, "and they never did anything like this.  We are out real early, months earlier than normal and they are out protesting because they are nervous.

"When you see the county chairman from the other side [Saratoga County Republican chairman John "Jasper" Nolan] holding up signs and protesting, it means they are worried."

Roy Akins likens her bid to his

Mr. Akins said he attended the event because Mrs. Gillibrand and Mr. Spitzer supported him in his run for mayor.

Mr. Akins said, "I think she has a very good chance of bringing her message to the forefront, just as I had done for Glens Falls.  It's not business as usual.  We really need to fine tune everything that we do."