Clinton Successor Gillibrand Retains U.S. Senate Seat in New York, AP Says

Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, who succeeded Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate from New York, was re-elected, defeating former Representative Joseph DioGuardi, the Associated Press projected.

Gillibrand, 43, had represented a congressional district near the state capital of Albany when she was appointed in January 2009 to succeed Clinton, who was named by President Barack Obama as U.S. secretary of state. Several well-known Democrats declined to challenge her in the primary and she coasted to the nomination.

DioGuardi, 60, who served in the House from 1985 to 1989, defeated fellow Republican David Malpass to win his party’s nod. His daughter, Kara, a singer-songwriter, was a judge on the Fox television network program “American Idol.”

Gillibrand will fill out the remainder of Clinton’s term and face the voters again in 2012.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jonathan D. Salant in Washington at jsalant@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Mark Silva at msilva34@bloomberg.net.

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U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

Mike Groll/AP Photo

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, votes beside her sons Theo, left, and Henry, at the Becraft Pumper Company in Greenport, N.Y.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, votes beside her sons Theo, left, and Henry, at the Becraft Pumper Company in Greenport, N.Y. Photographer: Mike Groll/AP Photo

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