Politics on the Hudson

    The nearly 300,000-member Civil Service Employees Association announced today that is is supporting U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand for re-election next year. Gillibrand had a strong working relationship with the union when she was in the House of Representatives, CSEA President Danny Donohue said.

   “Senator Gillibrand is an important ally for CSEA members and other working people. She understands the pressures that our members experience on and off the job and she has consistently worked with us. At a time when our state and nation face extraordinary challenges, we need extraordinary individuals representing New Yorkers in the U.S. Senate,” Donohue said in a statement.

   Gillibrand, a Democrat, said she would work with the union on President Obama’s agenda to improve the economy, create jobs and fix the health-care system.

   Democratic U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney has been talked about as an opponent for Gillibrand next year, but she has not declared she is a candidate. She is expected to make an announcement soon.

   Gov. David Paterson appointed Gillibrand as senator early this year to replace former Sen. Hillary Clinton, also a Democrat. Clinton is Obama’s secretary of state.