NEW YORK – Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is struggling to win over members of her home state New York’s congressional delegation, according to a Politico report Thursday.
Gillibrand even invited them to an event with New York county officials at Washington, D.C., eatery Bistro Bis, but only one showed up, Politicoreported, citing people with knowledge of the invitations. The invitation was reportedly extended a couple of hours before the event, which conflicted with House votes.
Gillibrand has not officially announced a run for president but said in January she was launching a 2020 exploratory committee.
Gillibrand, a progressive, is the only senator angling for the 2020 Democratic nomination who has no home-state congressional backing, reported Politico. She’s also polling at roughly 1 percent compared to other potential nominees. California Sen. Kamala Harris, for example, polls at 11 percent, according to a RealClear Politics average.
Harris also leads Gillibrand in home-state support, with five endorsements from California’s House delegation plus Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, reported Vanity Fair.
Gillibrand is trying to lock down New York support with lunches, drinks and phone calls, reported Politico. She will have to act fast in case fellow Democrats New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo or New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio jump in the 2020 race.
Those politicians would likely be more moderate candidates than Gillibrand, who signaled her support in February for tearing down existing portions of the southern border wall. She has also called global warming a “life or death threat” to Americans when discussing her support for the Green New Deal.
The Daily Caller News Foundation reached out to Gillibrand’s office but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
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