Gillibrand officially enters 2020 race
New York senator to take it to ‘Trump’s doorstep’
New York senator asks voters to “be brave” and back her presidential run
New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand made official what already was wellknown Sunday by formally joining the crowded Democratic field of candidates for president in 2020.
Gillibrand, 52, made the announcement on Twitter and released a twoand-a-half-minute campaign video titled “The Brave” in which she discusses “The Star-Spangled Banner” and urges Americans to “be brave” and support her and her policies.
Gillibrand talks about universal health care, family leave, an end to gun violence, the Green New Deal and campaign finance changes.
“I’m running for president,” she tweeted. “Let’s prove that brave wins.”
Gillibrand, one of six women in the Democratic field, launched an exploratory campaign in January. Polling of the field shows her garnering 1 percent or less of the vote – an important number because under party rules, she must claim 1 percent or more to qualify for primary debates.
“We’re building a campaign that will change who’s at the decision-making table, take on powerful interests and restore moral integrity to the White House,” Gillibrand said. “And we won’t take a cent from corporate PACs or federal lobbyists.”
Gillibrand will conduct an MSNBC town hall Monday in Michigan. Then she is off to Iowa for two days before heading to Nevada. She plans to make her first major speech as a candidate next Sunday in New York – “straight to President (Donald) Trump’s doorstep” in front of Trump International.
Gillibrand has made sexual harassment and abuse in the military, colleges and the workplace a top priority.
She has provided a strong voice for the #MeToo movement and was among the first Democrats to call for the resignation of Minnesota Democrat Al Franken amid claims he improperly touched women.
Gillibrand’s biggest publicity splash as a would-be candidate was the controversy that flared up last week over how she handled a sexual harassment complaint last year.
In July, a female aide made complaints against a senior male staffer in Gillibrand’s Washington office. Weeks later, the aide resigned, claiming the complaint was poorly handled.
Gillibrand said the allegations were investigated in consultation with the Senate employment counsel. The investigation found that the behavior, although inappropriate, did not meet the standard for sexual harassment, she said.
Additional complaints came to light, and the staffer was dismissed.