Senator looks to stop congressional pay raises

New York’s junior senator introduced legislation this week aimed at halting congressional pay raises.

Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand’s bill would prohibit automatic raises for members of Congress. 12 of her colleagues in the Senate are cosponsoring the legislation.

The bill mirrors a similar one introduced last year by Senator Russ Feingold, a Democratic from Wisconsin.

Polls, polls, and more polls...

Looks like Quinnipiac University and the Siena Research Institute have some explaining to do.

Quinnipiac came out with a poll yesterday showing that tea party Republican Carl Paladino was making huge gains on Democrat Andrew Cuomo in New York's gubernatorial race.

The numbers showed Cuomo with a 49 to 43 percentage point lead over Paladino.

Then, today, Siena answered back with a poll showing a very different race.

Gillibrand not one to waste time...

New York's junior senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, isn't wasting any time following last night's primary elections.

The Democrat, who was appointed to the seat by Gov. David Paterson after Hillary Clinton's rise to Secretary of State, will square-off with Republican Joe DioGuardi in November.

Gillibrand's campaign staff announced today it will immediately begin airing television ads in western New York.

The ads will hit airwaves this week in Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse. Gillibrand leads DioGuardi in fundraising and in the polls.

This from the Associated Press:

The ads promote Gillibrand as a reform-minded senator devoted to public transparency. In the ad, Gillibrand says she hasn't been in Washington long, but she has been there long enough to know that things are broken.

Gillibrand on a fundraising tear

If there were any questions surrounding Kirsten Gillibrand's ability to raise funds, they've been answered loud and clear.

New York's junior Democratic senator pulled in $2 million in the second quarter of 2010. The Associated Press reports Gillibrand has more than $7.2 million in her campaign coffers as she prepares to run for her first full term this fall.

She was appointed to the seat last year by New York Governor David Paterson after Hillary Clinton was appointed U.S. secretary of state.

Three Republicans hopefuls will square off in a September primary. Barring any petitioning setbacks, those candidates will be Bruce Blakeman, Joseph DioGuardi and David Malpass; the deadline to file petitions was Thursday.

Malpass has $2.4 million on-hand; $1.7 million through campaign donations and $1.5 million of his own money. Numbers for Blakeman and DioGuardi weren't available Thursday.

Gillibrand will face a challenge in a September primary. New York City lawyer Gail Goode filed her petitions Thursday morning. She says New Yorkers deserve another option as they had to the polls.

Independence Party endorses Murphy for Congress

The Independence Party of New York announced this week it will endorse Scott Murphy ahead of this fall’s 20th Congressional District election.

Murphy faces one challenger this November, retired U.S. Army Colonel Chris Gibson, who is running on the Republican and Conservative lines.

Frank MacKay is chairman of the Independence Party of New York. He says New York needs a leader with a strong, independent voice.

Blakeman, Valpass will faceoff in September primary

Democratic U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will have to wait until September to find out who her challenger will be in November.

This from the Associated Press:

NEW YORK (AP) - Republican Senate candidates Bruce Blakeman and David Malpass have earned enough support to run in a September primary in New York.

Republicans meeting in Manhattan are choosing potential challengers to take on Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (KEHR'-sten JIL'-uh-brand).

Gillibrand: Stop bank fees for paper statements

While the U.S. Senate continues to draft legislation aimed at protecting taxpayers from banks and lenders, New York’s junior Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is looking to protect North Country families from bank fees.

In a statement released by Gillibrand’s office, the Democratic senator notes that many banks nationwide are introducing fees for customers who don’t switch to paperless, electronic billing.

Gillibrand says this punishes approximately two millions New York households that don’t have access to the internet.

Staudenraus to challenge Schumer for senate seat

A challenger to U.S. Senator Charles Schumer has finally emerged.

Jim Staudenraus of Shelter Island formally announced his candidacy Wednesday.

The public advocate, author and businessman has been traveling throughout the state for more than a month drumming up support for his fledgling candidacy.

Staudenraus is angling for the Republican line in advance of this fall’s election.

Gillibrand: Gets trans-fats out of schools

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is calling for the removal of all artificial trans-fats from school meals.

The junior senator from New York wrote to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this week urging him to follow recommendations made by the Institute of Medicine.

The IOM report said trans-fats have no place in school breakfasts and lunches.

Malpass to challenge Gillibrand

The Associated Press is reporting that GOP economist David R. Malpass will run against Gillibrand in next fall's election.

Malpass is a former adviser for 2008 presidential candidate Rudy Guliani. He also worked for former presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.

GOP pundits see Gillibrand as vulnerable because she was appointed to the post by an unpopular governor -- plus, her approval ratings really haven't budged since she took over for now-Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.

Former Governor George Pataki has been viewed as the strongest potential candidate, but he says he won't run.

Malpass faces primary challengers in former Long Island legislator Bruce Blakeman and former Westchester Congressman Joe DioGuardi.

Who will run against Gillibrand?

Election season this fall is going to be busy. In New York, candidates are lining up for the gubernatorial race; challengers to Representatives Bill Owens and Scott Murphy are also licking their chops as both Congressmen are up for reelection this November.

But no one seems interested in challenging U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.