Kirsten Gillibrand

Kirsten Gillibrand is the U.S. junior senator representing the state of New York. On January 23, 2009, New York Governor David Paterson appointed the 42-year-old Gillibrand to the Senate seat formerly held by Hillary Clinton.Los Angeles Times: Clinton's Senate Successor Is Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand (January 23, 2009) She was sworn in as senator on January 27, 2009.CNN.com: Gillibrand sworn in as U.S. senator

Previous to her appointment as senator, Gillibrand was the Democratic representative of New York's 20th congressional district. Gillibrand served as Special Counsel to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Andrew Cuomo, during the Clinton administration.

New York Governor David Paterson indicated he would appoint someone to fill Hillary Clinton's vacated Senate seat after President Barack Obama's inauguration.The Buffalo News: Paterson says he will make Senate decision by weekend (January 19, 2009) The seat became vacant after Clinton was named as President Barack Obama's Secretary of State. Caroline Kennedy was considered a frontrunner for the post, but she withdrew her name from consideration on January 21, 2009.The New York Post: Caroline Kennedy Ends Senate Seat Bid (January 21, 2009) Paterson had said that New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo was also considered a top candidate for the position.Newsday: Guv: Cuomo Is a Candidate (January 20, 2009) Paterson reportedly made his final decision in the overnight hours of January 23, 2009; later that day he announced that he'd chosen Representative Kirsten Gillibrand to fill the post.The New York Times: Paterson Picks Gillibrand for Senate Seat (January 23, 2009) Gillibrand was sworn into office on January 27, 2009.CNN.com: Gillibrand sworn in as U.S. senator