NEW YORK, NY July 01, 2009 —A senior campaign adviser says New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney will challenge junior Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in the Democratic primary.

Maloney, a nine-term congresswoman, is putting together a campaign team and will make her official announcement in two weeks. Maloney is bucking the wishes of Democratic Party leaders, who have successfully worked to get other potential challengers to opt out of a Senate primary.

Gillibrand's appointment by Governor Paterson sparked resentment among liberal Democrats, who did not like her early views on guns and immigration.