RAW DATA: Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand Biography

Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. 

Office: Elected to Congress in 2006

Birthdate: Dec. 9, 1966, in Albany, N.Y.

Residence: Hudson, N.Y.

Education: Graduated from Dartmouth College in 1988, and U.C.L.A. in 1991.

Religion: Catholic

Marital Status: Married (Jonathan).

Professional Career: Practicing attorney, 1991-2006; special counsel, HUD, 2000.

Committees: Agriculture (18th of 25 D): Livestock, Dairy & Poultry; Horticulture & Organic Agriculture; Conservation, Credit, Energy & Research. Armed Services (28th of 34 D): Seapower & Expeditionary Forces; Terrorism, Unconventional Threats & Capabilities.

Gillibrand is the daughter of Douglas Rutnik, an Albany lobbyist who is part of former Gov. George Pataki's inner circle. Her grandmother was a prominent Democratic activist in Albany who brought Gillibrand along with her on the campaign trail.

Gillibrand served as a law clerk at the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.

Gillibrand traveled widely, working one summer for Republican Sen. Alfonse D'Amato

After law school Gillibrand served briefly as special counsel under Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo, before going to work for a major New York City law firm.

Gillibrand scored one of the big upsets of the 2006 elections when she defeated incumbent GOP Rep. John Sweeney for New York's 20th District seat. The critical moment in the campaign came shortly before Election Day, when a leaked police report showed Sweeney's wife had called 911 in what appeared to be a domestic violence incident.

Source: Almanac of American Politics and Associated Press, Candidate Biographies, Oct. 27, 2008