Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.)

After traveling, Gillibrand went to UCLA law school and served in a United Nations internship in Vienna, Austria.

After graduating from law school in 1991, Gillibrand clerked for a federal appeals court judge before practicing at the New York law firm Davis, Polk & Wardwell from 1991 to 2001, where she helped to represent tobacco giant Philip Morris defend itself in lawsuits from the federal government. She briefly worked for the New York firm Boies, Schiller, where she became a partner. She also served a brief stint as a special counsel under Clinton Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo (D). Cuomo was rumored as a top pick for Clinton's Senate seat as well.

2006 Congressional Campaign

In 2005, Gillibrand announced she would try to unseat four-term Rep. John Sweeney (R-N.Y.) from New York's 20th district, an area that rings Albany and parts of the picturesque Hudson Valley. Gillibrand lives in Hudson, N.Y., with her husband, Jonathan, and their two young children.

Though her success seemed unlikely, luck was on Gillibrand's side in a year that saw Republicans struggle. Sweeney suffered some setbacks that made him vulnerable, including a sudden hospitalization that caused him to miss key votes. Questions about his association with infamous lobbyist Jack Abramoff and a late-night visit to a frat party didn't help his image.

Though Sweeney led in the polls until as late as August 2006, he was on the defensive but continued to outspend Gillibrand. Sweeney accused Gillibrand of being a carpetbagger from downstate with an apartment in Manhattan, playing on the strained relationship that New York City has with the rest of its state.

A 2006 Gillibrand campaign ad slung mud at Sweeney for slinging mud.

Gillibrand continued an aggressive campaign, and got help in the form of campaign appearances with Sen. Clinton.

One week before the election, news broke of a 2005 police incident in which Sweeney's wife accused the congressman of "knocking her around." That sealed the deal for Gillibrand, who won with 53 percent of the vote in a year that presaged a Democratic resurgence. She was the first Democrat to represent the 20th district since 1978.

In the House, Gillibrand became known for "bold political moves and centrist policy positions," the New York Times reported.

She served on the House Armed Services Committee and the Agriculture Committee. Pregnant for much of her first term, Gillibrand continued working right up until the day she gave birth to her son, Henry, in June 2008. She won a commanding victory in 2008.

Senate Appointment

When Sen. Clinton was appointed as Barack Obama's secretary of state, a melee ensued over who would be named to replace Clinton. Caroline Kennedy was the highest-profile contender.

After Kennedy (whose candidacy was troubled from the start) dropped out on Jan. 21, 2009, Gov. Paterson was said to be debating between two contenders: United Teachers Federation President Randi Weingarten and Gillibrand. "One of Mr. Paterson's preferences had been to select a woman to replace Mrs. Clinton," The New York Times wrote.

Paterson reportedly saw the Senate pick as a chance to appeal to groups that would help him win in his own 2010 race: upstate voters and women.

Gillibrand reportedly got the governor's call at 2 a.m. on January 23, 2009. She accepted.

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