U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on Tuesday is set to endorse a pair of Democratic women running for Republican-held state Senate districts this fall. 

Gillibrand will endorse Democrat Michelle Hinchey, who is running for the seat being vacated by GOP Sen. George Amedore. She faces Richard Amedure in the general election. The district runs from the Mohawk Valley, around the Capital District, to the Hudson Valley. 

“Michelle Hinchey is the leader we need to represent us in the New York State Senate” Gilibrand said.

“As a lifelong resident of this area, Michelle is acutely aware of and understands the issues that face us, including the need to create economic opportunities that help our communities thrive.  As a true progressive leader, she will fight for legislation to protect our environment, ensure access to quality and affordable healthcare, and be a true champion for women and working families. She will make sure that Upstate New York gets its fair share in Albany.”

Gillibrand is also backing Democrat Karen Smythe as she seeks to unseat incumbent Sen. Sue Serino in a Poughkeepsie-area Senate district. 

“Karen Smythe is the leader we need to represent the 41st Senate District in Albany,” Gillibrand said.

“If you want something done, ask a busy woman. Karen knows the challenges of working a full-time job while raising a family. No one has been hit harder by COVID-19 than working moms, and Karen will listen, learn, and do what it takes to help women, kids, and families across the Hudson Valley rebound from the worst economic and health crisis of our lifetime. As the former head of her family’s union construction business, she has years of experience working with a variety of stakeholders to get the job done. Karen is not afraid to do the hard work or undertake the big problems that are going to take innovative thinking to untangle."

Gillibrand has recenetly relaunched her political action committee Off The Sidelines, which will spend at least $1 million to elect more Democratic women to public office.