By: Hadassa Kalatizadeh
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has become so “invisible”, says one of her former staffers, that she would easily lose a primary challenge even to progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“There are any number of state lawmakers, local officials and members of the delegation –including AOC — who could mount a very, very credible challenge and quite likely beat her,” the ex-staffer said, noting that the once energetic politician seems to have grown “bored” in the Senate. “It wouldn’t at all surprise me if there were truth to the rumors that she’s not planning to run, but instead is on the lookout for an administration position or a cushy private sector job,” the insider told the NY Post.
Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf agreed. “AOC can beat Kirsten Gillibrand. AOC will raise the money. She can beat her because Kirsten Gillibrand is the invisible senator. She has done very little to cement that incumbency and the electorate is angry and she has done nothing to address the issues that matter — which are COVID, crime and job loss in New York State.”
As per the Post, Gillibrand has been missing in action statewide. “I see [senior NY Sen. Chuck] Schumer all the time. I never see Gillibrand. I don’t know why New York only has one senator,” said one Democratic state senator. A study by the nonpartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking said Gillibrand was among the least effective senators in the previous Congress, ranking 39th out of 45 among Democrats. The study also showed that the 55-year-old lawmaker has not proposed even one “substantive” bill of late. Further, in the last Congress she missed roughly 15 percent of votes — making hers the ninth worst record, as per GovTrack.
“Since the presidential campaign she is totally checked out. She seems less engaged in policy making and completely MIA from the political scene,” said one top female Democratic consultant in New York. “Prior to presidential race, you couldn’t turn on your TV without seeing her and now it’s like you haven’t heard a peep out of her.”
Gillibrand’s team commented in response. “Senator Gillibrand loves serving the people of New York and looks forward to running for re-election,” said Evan Lukaske, a spokesman for Gillibrand. “Senator Gillibrand had a net favorable rating of +39 among Democratic primary voters in a September Siena Poll and will close the year with nearly $3 million cash on hand three years out from her next election Senator Gillibrand has no interest in an administration job or the private sector.”
