The abortion-rights activist community in New York is beginning to coalesce around Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. This development could be a boost for the new senator — appointed to her seat in January — as she attempts to deter fellow Democrats who are threatening to run to her left in her Senate contest next year.

NARAL Pro-Choice New York will announce tomorrow that it is endorsing Gillibrand, who Democratic Gov. David A. Paterson picked to fill the vacancy created when Hillary Rodham Clinton left to become secretary of State.

The organization says it is the earliest it has ever endorsed a candidate in an election cycle. But NARAL President Kelli Conlin said, “If we can avoid a bloody primary by endorsing early, we want to be a part of that.” She added, “We don’t want to risk this seat in a general election.”