King Will Not Challenge Gillibrand
The Long Island representative said in a prepared statement, the New York Daily News reports, that he could not raise the money to effectively compete against Gillibrand.
"Senator Gillibrand generates neither strong support nor opposition," his statement reportedly said. "This makes it virtually impossible for me to raise the campaign funds I would need to overcome the built-in Democratic registration advantage and the countless millions of dollars which the Democrats will make available to Senator Gillibrand."
King said that a well-financed candidate could beat Gillibrand, who was appointed this year by Gov. David Paterson to fill Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's vacant Senate seat.
The Republican also said his chances would have been better if Caroline Kennedy, daughter of former President John F. Kennedy, had been appointed. Kennedy lobbied for the position but withdrew her name from consideration, citing personal reasons.
"(Kennedy's) candidacy would have generated the media coverage and financial contributions necessary for me to run a competitive race," King reportedly said.
Meanwhile, Gillibrand saw new pressure from the left today. Long Island official Jon Cooper sent out an e-mail criticizing the senator for not supporting a government-run health insurance option strongly enough, Politico reports. However, Gillibrand's Web site features a petition that says "health care reform must include a not-for-profit public option."