An Anti-Poverty Advocate in NY Senate Seat?

Poverty advocates watched the New York senatorial selection process with interest. Outgoing New York Senator Hillary Clinton has a well known background in fighting poverty and many affiliations with groups that work on behalf of the poor. And two of the presumed front runners for the job, Caroline Kennedy and Andrew Cuomo, each have deep personal and familial connections to the movement. But it shouldn’t be lost among those big personalities that Governor Paterson۪s choice to fill the seat — Rep. Kristen Gillibrand — brings her own set of credentials to the anti-poverty movement. In the Clinton Administration, Gillibrand worked as a Special Counsel at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), with reportedly a special interest in bringing new investment to low income areas. The next days will surely see scrutiny of her politics and positions on such issues as gun control, but it is interesting to note that her national, federal and political career began at HUD working on issues of special concern to the poor.

Posted by Mike

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