Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has not been afraid to jump out in front of an issue, even if the state’s senior Senator, Chuck Schumer, isn’t quite there yet (i.e. same-sex marriage). But recently, Schumer has caused a stir with his opposition to non-partisan redistricting and his “mysteriously quiet” stance on bike lanes in New York City.
Gillibrand is, for now, letting the issues play out without taking the lead on them.
During a brief interview in Albany on Saturday, I asked Gillibrand what she thought of non-partisan redistricting. “I think it’s a very important issue,” Gillibrand said, “and I know it’s something that is going to be struggled with by the governor and the legislature and I think it’s important that they do that hard work.” When asked to elaborate her concerns, Gillibrand said, “We just have to make sure that everyone is well-represented and that’s the crux of the issue.” She did not come out for it, or against it.
When I asked her about bike lanes, Gillibrand said she would defer to others.
“I think it’s a local issue and I think the local community will do what’s best for the local community,” she said.
