Maloney hires guns for Senate campaign

Despite apparent efforts by the White House to clear the primary field for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) appears to be moving forward with a Senate campaign.

City Hall newspaper reports that Maloney has hired two big name consultants for her campaign. The Democrat has signed Cindy Darrison to fundraise and Josh Isay of Knickerbocker SKD to handle communications.

Maloney continues to mull a run against Gillibrand next year. City Hall reports that she is planning to make an announcement one way or the other by the end of the month.

Interestingly, Isay, City Hall notes, worked for Caroline Kennedy when she was interested in being appointed to the Senate. He is also close to Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who has also indicated he would prefer Gillibrand to be unopposed in the primary.

This news also comes shortly after City Hall reported that the White House forced Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) to abort his Senate bid before it got off the ground.

jeremy.jacobs@digital-staging.thehill.com