Kirsten Gillibrand has represented New York in the U.S. Senate since 2009, when she was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Hillary Clinton. She has since won multiple full terms statewide.
Born December 9, 1966, in Albany, she graduated from Dartmouth College and UCLA School of Law, later working as an attorney and serving as special counsel at HUD. She first entered Congress in 2006, winning a competitive U.S. House race in upstate New York.
In the Senate, Gillibrand is widely associated with efforts to combat sexual assault in the military, expand paid family leave, strengthen protections against workplace harassment, and improve clean water and PFAS accountability. She also briefly ran for president in 2020, leaning into themes of gender equity and family economic security.
Establishment Democrat
Achievements
- Led Senate efforts to reform how the military handles sexual assault and improve survivor protections
- National advocate for paid family leave, childcare access, and working-parent economic security
- Championed environmental cleanup and PFAS drinking water standards, especially in upstate communities
- Helped strengthen workplace harassment and gender equity laws
- Built a profile as a leading voice on women’s rights in the Senate
Controversies
- Criticized for shifting from moderate, pro-gun, immigration- hawkish House positions to a more progressive Senate profile
- Faced backlash — even from fellow Democrats — for her early, vocal role in calling for Al Franken’s resignation
- Viewed by some New York political figures as too focused on national ambition during her 2020 presidential run
- Accused by opponents of being more performative than results-driven on certain high-profile issues
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Israel Public Affairs Cmte | $480,614 | $470,614 | $10,000 |
| Corning Inc | $154,116 | $154,116 | $0 |
| Davis, Polk & Wardwell | $128,529 | $128,529 | $0 |
| Latham & Watkins | $73,380 | $73,380 | $0 |
| Boies, Schiller & Flexner | $63,009 | $63,009 | $0 |
Amounts shown reflect organization-linked giving; most funds listed here are from individual donors or aligned PACs.
Recent Elections
2010 Margin D +28%
2012 Margin D +45%
2018 Margin D +34%
2024 Margin D +18.4%