Kirsten Gillibrand Endorses "Trailblazing" Queens Senator

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is endorsing State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky in her re-election bid today, calling the longtime Queens senator a "trailblazer," according to a Stavisky campaign release obtained by City and State. Stavisky has "consistently fought to protect women's health and safety," Gillibrand is quoted as saying in the release. "She has worked tirelessly to improve city schools and expand access to health care.  I am proud to support her for re-election." Stavisky was also endorsed in early May by Sen. Charles Schumer, who cited her record helping small businesses in his endorsement. Stavisky is facing off in the primary elections in September against John Messer, an attorney who also ran against her as a Democrat in 2010 and finished third in the race behind Stavisky and lottery winner Isaac Sasson. A Korean-American real estate agent named J.D. Kim is running against Stavisky on the Republican Party line. Stavisky is running in the newly-created majority Asian-American district, which she moved into to avoid a primary against fellow Democratic State Sen. Tony Avella. To read more from City & State [click here. ](http://www.cityandstateny.com)