Gillibrand, in Iowa, highlights family, children issues
By THOMAS BEAUMONT, Associated Press
Jan 19, 2019 12:55 AM CST
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., meets with residents at the Pierce Street Coffee Works cafe', in Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. Sen. Gillibrand is on a weekend visit to Iowa, after announcing that she is forming an exploratory committee to run for President of the United States in 2020....   (Associated Press)

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is meeting Iowa Democrats on her first foray into the early presidential testing ground, and defending her role in bringing down former Sen. Al Franken.

Gillibrand continues her first trip Saturday to the leadoff caucus state since announcing the formation of an exploratory committee to seek the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.

On Friday, she met with voters in Sioux City, including activists who asked her about role as the first Democrat to publicly call for Franken's ouster. The Minnesota Democrat resigned amid allegations he had groped several women.

Gillibrand said she had "to stand up for what's right, especially when it's hard."

Gillibrand was traveling from western to central Iowa, with various stops.

See 6 more photos