The Albany Times Union and other outlets are reporting that New York Gov. David Paterson will appoint upstate Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to Hillary Clinton’s former Senate seat.
Gillibrand was first elected in 2006 in a narrow win against incumbent Republican Rep. John Sweeney, then won by a landslide in 2008 against wealthy businessman Sandy Treadwell. Gillibrand proved to be a prolific fundraiser herself in that race, spending over $4 million.
So Paterson gets to a) court women voters, b) court upstate voters, and c) recruit a candidate who can bring in a lot of money in case of a tough race.
It makes sense.
