Reps. Nydia M. Velazquez and Edolphus Towns endorsed appointed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's bid for the Democratic Party's 2010 Senate nomination in New York, narrowing the field of potential endorsements for a possible rival.
In particular, Velazquez's endorsement is important because Gillibrand has been criticized by Latino officials for her voting record on immigration issues when she represented a swing district in upstate New York in the House of Representatives.
Velazquez is the only Hispanic woman ever to chair a full committee in the House. Towns, who was first elected in 1982, represents a black-majority district in Brooklyn.
"The people of New York need leaders fighting to create jobs, improve educational opportunities, and ensure that affordable healthcare is available for all," Velazquez said in a release announcing the endorsements. "I look forward to collaborating with her to achieve success for New York's diverse communities."
Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney has told colleagues that she plans to run against Gillibrand, and several members of the delegation from the city have yet to endorse the sitting senator.
Gillibrand now has 12 endorsements from the delegation, including that of senior Sen. Charles E. Schumer, leaving 15 New York Democrats undeclared.
![[RSS]](http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/templates/images/rss_icon.gif){kind=icon}
![[ARCHIVES]](http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/templates/images/archives_icon.png){kind=icon}
Post A Comment