Ep 8. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's political career is the focus of the eighth and final episode of the first season of "Breaking Big." The New York Democrat has made headlines recently for her outspokenness on issues like sexual harassment and assault in the military. But Gillibrand's journey to the Senate wasn't an overnight success story; it took years of hard work and persistence to get there.

The episode traces Gillibrand's career back to her days working as an attorney in New York City, where she found herself drawn to public service. She ran for Congress in 2006 and won a seat representing New York's 20th district, a largely rural area in the eastern part of the state.

Despite being a newcomer to politics, Gillibrand quickly made a name for herself in Washington. She was a vocal advocate for ethics reform, introducing legislation to ban gifts from lobbyists and require more transparency in campaign finance. She also worked on issues like women's health and children's nutrition, earning praise from colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

But Gillibrand's path to the Senate was far from straightforward. In 2009, she was appointed to fill the seat of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who had resigned to join the Obama administration. Gillibrand faced a tough reelection campaign in 2010, with critics accusing her of being too liberal for her conservative-leaning district.

Gillibrand didn't back down, however. Instead, she took a cue from her mentor, Senator Chuck Schumer, and began traveling the state to meet with voters and build her own political network. She also made a conscious effort to reach out to rural and conservative voters, emphasizing her family roots in upstate New York and her experience representing farm communities.

The strategy paid off: Gillibrand won reelection in 2010 by a comfortable margin, and began eyeing a run for the Senate in 2012. But she faced a formidable foe in the Democratic primary: long-time incumbent Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan's son, NBC reporter Tim Moynihan.

Despite initially trailing Moynihan in the polls, Gillibrand ultimately emerged victorious, thanks in part to her grassroots organizing and support from key Democratic party figures, including Schumer and Governor Andrew Cuomo. She went on to win the general election that fall, making history as the first woman elected to represent New York in the Senate.

Since then, Gillibrand has continued to be a vocal advocate for progressive causes, from fighting for women's rights to combatting sexual harassment and assault in the military. She's also emerged as a strong critic of President Trump, frequently speaking out against his policies and rhetoric on issues like immigration and health care.

Throughout the episode, Gillibrand reflects on the challenges she's faced and the lessons she's learned along the way. She talks about the importance of standing up for what you believe, even in the face of criticism and opposition. And she emphasizes the need for women to support each other in their careers and aspirations.

Ultimately, though, the episode paints a picture of a determined and principled politician who has fought hard to achieve her goals. Gillibrand may not be a household name like Clinton or Schumer, but she's a rising star in the Democratic party, and one to watch in the years to come.