This morning, I posted this over at The Albany Project but I'd like to share it with the DailyKos community as well.
First of all, I wanted to thank you once again for the support so critical to getting me elected to the US House of Representatives. It was a tight, hardfought race and I know I couldn't have done it without your support. Your efforts were invaluable in spreading the word about my campaign online, raising money for me through ActBlue and activating voters and volunteers on the ground in the district. I can say with confidence that, in such a close election as mine was, your work really was a crucial factor in my joining the 111th congress.
Another big boost for my victory was the endorsement of the person I replaced in the House, now Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Not only did Kirsten vote for me -- absentee, in case you hadn't heard -- but she shot an ad for me and campaigned on the ground in the 20th district for my campaign. Voters had entrusted Kirsten to represent them in Washington and I know the vote of confidence she gave me made an impression on many NY-20 voters, voters who, thanks to the tireless efforts of Kirsten Gillibrand and the online communities both here at DailyKos and at The Albany Project, are now my constituents.
So, it seemed only right that I should come back here to return the favor. Today, I am proud to officially endorse Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in her 2010 election to fill out the remainder of Hillary Clinton's US Senate term and to continue as my Senator in Washington, DC.
Since Kirsten was appointed to the US Senate, I have been so impressed with the hard work she has put into the transition from representing our Upstate district to the entire state of New York, which is just shy of 20 million strong. I know she has taken this change very seriously and as such has been traveling throughout the state to listen to voters' concerns even as she works hard in Washington on her legislative agenda.
Her Senate in the Supermarket program is a particularly innovative way of connecting with every day New Yorkers, as is her Conversations With Kirsten website, where she responds personally on video to your questions.
I know that every day, more and more voters throughout the state are learning what NY-20 voters found out back in 2006: the more you get to know Kirsten Gillibrand, the more you like her and the more you trust her to have your back in Washington. I look forward to continuing to work with her for years to come on the key issues facing New York.
Not only do I consider Kirsten Gillibrand a friend but I am proud to call her my Senator and look forward to voting for her next year.
Scott