Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) has notched a few more endorsements on her belt in the last few days. Running for the 2010 special election, every endorsement counts as the new senator -- appointed in January to fill the vacant seat left by Hillary Clinton -- could face intraparty challenges from some of her former House colleagues.

The Gillibrand campaign announced today that State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith is endorsing her candidacy.

"Throughout her career, Kirsten Gillibrand has exhibited the kind of leadership that has yielded results for the people of New York," Smith said in a press release. "Her agenda to advance economic development opportunities and revitalize our communities is the kind of vision we need in Washington fighting for us."

Last week, Gillibrand won an endorsement from NARAL Pro-Choice New York, a leading abortion rights group that has previously backed the House campaigns of Gillibrand's potential Dem challengers -- Reps. Carolyn Maloney and Carolyn McCarthy.

Just days after being appointed by Gov. David Paterson in January, Emily's LIST made a suprisingly fast endorsement of Gillibrand's special election bid.

Each endorsement Gillibrand touts is one less that a potential rival could use as ammunition against her in a primary, and the backing of two women's groups and a leading state Democrat -- not to mention the public support of New York's senior Senator Charles Schumer -- could be enough to keep others out of the race.

One already has dropped out. After a 15-minute phone conversation with President Obama on Friday, Rep. Steve Israel announced he would no longer run. Maloney and McCarthy, though, have yet to follow suit.