Sen. Gillibrand wants Hillary Clinton to run for president in 2016

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said she'll be one of the first people to encourage Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to run for president in 2016. 

"I'm going to be one of the first to ask Hillary to run in 2016. I think she would be incredibly well-poised to be our next Democratic president. I think she's extremely well prepared," Gillibrand said in an interview with Buzzfeed. "Her experience as secretary of State has not only elevated her stature and experience, but she's proven she's someone who can get things done and I think she'd be an outstanding candidate."

Gillibrand, who succeeded Clinton when the former New York senator stepped down to become secretary of State in the Obama administration, said if Clinton were to win, she did not see herself serving in a Hillary Clinton administration.

"Not at all, but I hope to be serving New York State and the people of New York State in the Senate," Gillibrand said. 

Gillibrand added that she expected to stay in the Senate for a long time. 

"It's an important opportunity for public service to really have an impact on the lives of regular people, and I feel very privileged that I have the chance to be part of these debates and to move an agenda for to help real New Yorkers," Gillibrand said. 

Gillibrand isn't the first to voice support for a Clinton run in 2016. Clinton, now 64, who ran for president against President Obama in 2008, has repeatedly said she had no plans to serve another term as secretary of State or run for office again. 

"I have said that before; I will say it again. I really am looking forward to returning to private life. And I’ve told everyone that I assume and believe that the president will be reelected," Clinton told The Associated Press in October.

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