District Attorney Eyes
Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York State

The two wives however will face-off in 2006 for Senate seat currently held by Clinton. "But I am not Hillary Clinton," Pirro said during her announcement speech.

"I am a New Yorker through and through. I was born and grew up in Elmira, where my mom still lives," she said. Pirro, 54, worked in a dairy as a teenager, and was the first in her family to graduate from college. "I went to college in Buffalo and law school in Albany, served as a county judge, and now I serve as the DA of Westchester, where I live and raise my family," she said.

"Just about anyone is better than Hillary. She probably voted for Bush last year, she's just like him." Tamakia Walsh of Queens, NY,

Pirro's reputation as district attorney has been built upon her successful prosecution of criminals, especially when the victim involved was a child. "I've battled to change our laws so we can protect battered women, abused children and the elderly; so that we can hold pedophiles accountable; mandate DNA testing for convicted criminals; fight public corruption and stop the too often deadly practice of underage drinking with its tragic consequences for our youth," Pirro said.

Pirro vows to bring the issues facing New York forward in the months leading up to the election. "You will know where I stand on the issues, from making tax cuts permanent to guaranteeing our children the education they deserve by holding schools accountable for the job they are entrusted to do," she said.

Husband Pirro, however, is keeping a low profile. There is no mention of him on Mrs. Pirro's website. Albert Pirro and his brother Anthony, were sentenced on 1 November 2000 to 29 and 37 months imprisonment, respectively, to be followed by 36 and 24 months supervised release, respectively, according to Internal Revenue Service records. Sentences were later reduced however.

Albert and Anthony were convicted on tax fraud charges stemming from approximately $1.2 million of Albert's personal expenses, paid by his companies. Expenses included lease payments for luxury automobiles for him, his wife, and his mother-in-law; attorney and private investigator services; the salary of one of his family's domestic servants; home improvements, including an electronically controlled gate, exterior painting, and awning installation for his residence in New York; personal furnishings for his vacation home in Florida; and the purchase of a $123,000 Ferrari sports car, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

Anthony Pirro, paid for numerous personal expenses, including health club dues, medical bills, jewelry for his wife, and campaign contributions.

"I come to this race as a fighter, an advocate and an agent for change," Jeanine Pirro said. She supports tax cuts, immigration opportunities, the Patriot Act provisions, stem cell research, and she supports the right for a woman to choose (to abort a pregnancy.)

Jeanine Pirro said that "stem cell research is important to finding cures for diseases that have long plagued so many. I believe the restrictions imposed by President Bush were wrong and applaud Senator [Bill] Frist [R-TN] for showing real leadership on this issue."

"I am running for the Senate because New York deserves a Senator who will give her all to the people of New York for a full term --full time-- and not miss votes to campaign in the 2008 Presidential primaries. You can't run for two offices at the same time," Pirro said.

While Clinton has denied her own interest in running for president during her Senate stint in New York, when she was the First Lady, she said the idea was of interest to her.

Pirro says she hopes the campaign does not turn into "negative character assassination" attempts, but during her opening speech, Pirro did not directly state political failings of Clinton, which many residents say should be brought forward.

Will Yarrow of Manhattan said, "She [Pirro] couldn't do a worse job than Hillary [Clinton], but I want Pirro to say what specifically she will do, apart from Clinton's inaction, before I take her seriously."

"Just about anyone is better than Hillary," said Tamakia Walsh of Queens, NY, "She probably voted for Bush last year, she's just like him."

Eighty-six percent of New York City voted against President Bush in 2004, and he lost Westchester county as well; a bloc usually more inclined to vote Republican. Pirro however does not say who she voted for president in 2004, and may or may not disappoint voters who oppose President Bush, "I'm Republican red on fiscal policy with conservative beliefs on making tax cuts permanent, but I've got broad blue stripes on the social issues that don't change based on the office I am running for."