Gillibrand, who was appointed by Gov. David Paterson in January to fill Hillary Clinton's old U.S. Senate seat, doesn't have to run for re-election until next year.
But a number of Democrats - among them Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Steve Israel, and Carolyn McCarthy and Manhattan Borough president Scott Stringer - have all signaled they are mulling a primary against the upstate Gillibrand, whose congressional record has often leaned to the right (although not, it should be noted, when it comes to abortion rights).
Enter NARAL, who, like Sen. Chuck Schumer, is hoping that an early announcement of support Gillibrand - coupled with her prodigious fundraising - will scare the other Democrats away.
"Is this somewhat motivated by our desire to not see a bloodbath of a primary in advance of a general election?" Conlin said. "Absolutely. But it is backed up by solid record."
Conlin said this endorsement is the earliest NARAL has ever chosen sides in a race.
"Quite frankly, although there will be other friends who will look at this seat, Kirsten is the person who we think is best suited to walk in Hillary Clinton's footsteps and be that champion on reproductive health and rights," Conlin said.
Although Gillibrand has faced criticism for her conservative voting record on issues like guns and immigration while a congresswoman from the GOP-dominated 20th CD - positions she is now rushing to moderate as senator - Conlin said Gillibrand has been a model of consistency on abortion rights.
Avoiding a primary would be ideal. I know that some like primaries, but I only like primaries when they are necessary. If a candidate deserves a primary challenge, they should be challenged. Especially as progressives, we know that there are elected officials out there who deserve primaries. I don't see Gillibrand as one of them, but this race was surely going to draw at least one or two primary challengers for a prized seat in the U.S. Senate.
There will be more on this endorsement later after NARAL Pro-Choice New York makes their official announcement.
