Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand suffered a hit on Friday when Brooklyn Democratic Leader Vito Lopez all but endorsed Harold Ford Jr. for Senate – before he’s even formally declared – but she got some love in the Bronx this morning.
A source familiar with the meeting said Gillibrand – who facing widespread criticism for only recently stepping up to do routine politicking – said she fared well, answering questions and taking notes, and that people “went away …with a very positive feeling about her.”
Bronx Democratic Leader Carl Heastie met with Ford Friday evening at Tosca in Throgs Neck. While Ford has been getting a strong reception in many quarters, Heastie apparently is remaining cool.
A source said it was a pleasant first meeting but noted the ex-congressman “isn’t a candidate,” and added, “Harold Ford would have a long way to go before he would be considered to be endorsed….it’s nice that he’s getting out there but the Chairman thinks it’s really important” to focus on maintaining the Democratic state Senate majoriy.
“It’s hard to focus on this race when the senate majority is in the balance,” the source added.