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I am proud to represent New York's 13th Congressional District, which has one of the largest and diverse populations in the country.

I am a New Yorker.

I am very much a Republican.

I never thought I would end up being the Senator from New York.

I hate to lose the constituency that I've worked with, but I've got 170,000 people to meet in my new district.

I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat.

I operate on the assumption that as a member of Congress, presently, I represent everybody - Republicans, Democrats, independents and, yes, some people who don't care to participate.

I'm very much engaged in the political battles. But I'm doing it as a supporter of Republicans... rather than as an active candidate.