Republican Rep. Peter T. King’s decision to eschew next year’s Senate special election in New York has dealt a serious — though not unexpected — blow to the GOP’s hopes of challenging appointed Democratic incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand.

The New York Daily News reported Monday that King would instead seek a 10th term in the 3rd District on Long Island. King said he reached his decision “after months of deliberation and conversations with family members and friends and advisers,” the newspaper reported.

He had, however, indicated in late June that he was likely to opt out of the Senate race.

It didn't match her first quarter fundraising haul, but the $1.5 million New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand raised over the past three months isn't too shabby.

The Democrat boasted in an e-mail to supporters Wednesday that she has now raised a total of $3.8 million to defend her Senate seat in 2010. More details, including cash on hand, will be revealed in Gillibrand's fundraising report, which is due to be filed today, in paper, with the Federal Election Commission. Gillibrand had $2.2 million in the bank at the end of March.

The New York Daily News is reporting that likely primary rival Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney raised $577,000 during the second quarter and had $1.7 million cash on hand as of June 30.

New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand on Tuesday picked up the endorsement of the feminist group Planned Parenthood's political arm -- the latest indication that there is no summertime lull for the appointed senator as she prepares for her 2010 election contest, and the possibility of a serious Democratic primary challenge by Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney.

The Planned Parenthood Action Fund is the latest of several women's groups aligned with the Democratic Party that have thrown their support to Gillibrand. This backing could be especially helpful to Gillibrand in a showdown with Maloney, who has indicated she will run in next year's special election primary and has been positioning herself to Gillibrand's left.

Maloney, who is in her ninth House term representing a New York City district, is one of a number of prominent Democrats who sharply opposed the January decision by Gov. David A. Paterson to pick Gillibrand to succeed Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Another liberal group came out in support of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's 2010 Senate bid on Tuesday, though this one could cut both ways with voters.

The Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now Political Action Committee, also known as ACORN, endorsed Gillibrand for New York Senate, calling her "a leader who will always fight for those who have been pushed to the brink in this economic crisis."

ACORN, which fights for policies that benefit low-income and working class people, has been dogged by controversy for its voter registration tactics in the 2008 campaign. But that hasn't scared away Democrats, who, like Gillibrand, still seek out its support and organizing clout.

New York Rep. Peter T. King has a message for the Republicans knocking the the White House's tactic of co-opting moderate Republicans like Rep. John M. McHugh, who was just nominated to be secretary of the Army: Stop whining.

"I have no problem with this," he said of the appointment Wednesday night on MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews. "We as Republicans should hold onto that seat, if we don't it's our fault." McHugh, a nine-term incumbent, represents New York's 23rd District. His appointment precipitates a special election, and there is a chance Democrats can flip the seat, given President Obama's win in the district in the 2008 presidential race.

"I don't think we should be sitting around whining and saying Rahm Emanuel outsmarted us or President Obama outsmarted us," King added. "We should get good candidates, put them up there, and run."

New York Rep. Peter T. King said his fundraiser scheduled for June 13 in Wantaugh, N,Y., will be "nothing fancy." The same could be said for the video promoting it.

First flagged by Politicker New York, the grainy YouTube video features the nine-term congressman touting his upcoming fundraiser in front of Mulcahy's Pub and Music Hall, a sign advertising $3 SoCo and Lime and Jagermeister shots prominently featured in the background. The noise from passing cars drowns out much of what the Long Island Republican is saying.

In the portion that is audible, King offers up some red meat for the conservative base. "To get my message out to the people for next year's election, I need financial help," he says. "I can't count on Newsday, in fact, Newsday is the enemy. The liberal media is working against me."

While several Iowa Republicans continue to mull challenging Democratic Gov. Chet Culver in his 2010 election, the GOP field has been winnowed by one. State Auditor David Vaudt's office confirmed to CQ Politics that he will not run for governor, and instead will seek re-election to his current office.

Vaudt's decision was first reported Monday by Iowa media outlets. He told the Des Moines Register that his experience as auditor is paramount given the fiscal difficulties facing the state. "This is a very critical time for Iowa, and we need a strong voice and an experienced voice to keep Iowans in tune with what's really taking place with our finances," Vaudt said.

Vaudt also told Radio Iowa that he had considered the governor's race but that he is "very concerned about Iowa's long-term finances."