With Maloney out, Engel backs Gillibrand

Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday became the latest member of the New York congressional delegation to endorse Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) for reelection in 2010.

Engel becomes the 12th of 26 Democrats in the delegation to back the appointee, and his endorsement comes just days after Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) aborted a planned primary challenge.

The timing of Engel’s decision proves just how difficult a time some members of the delegation were having with their decision between Gillibrand and Maloney, and it also demonstrates how clear things appear now that no member of the delegation is planning to challenge Gillibrand in a primary.

“Over the past seven months, Kirsten has brought a new, innovative approach to the new problems that New York families are facing in these tough economic times,” Engel said in a statement.

The other members who have endorsed Gillibrand are:

Rep. Michael Arcuri
Rep. Yvette Clark
Rep. John Hall
Rep. Brian Higgins
Rep. Maurice Hinchley
Rep. Nita Lowey
Rep. Mike McMahon
Rep. Gregory Meeks
Rep. Scott Murphy
Rep. Edolphus Towns
Rep. Nydia Velazquez

To be determined: how many of the more skeptical members jump behind Gillibrand, especially if she faces even modest primary opposition. Engel was undecided, but he still had kind words for Gillibrand in a June interview. (“I’ve talked to her since [the appointment], and she has satisfied me with her positions representing the entire state of New York,” Engel said at the time.)