When Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced her 2020 intentions were ramping up, so too did the balancing act.

Being a full-time senator while seeking the highest office in the land is no easy feat. While many have tried and only a handful have succeeded, it is possible — proven most recently by Barack Obama.

"You can still serve your constituents well," Former Obama Administration Official Jesse Lee said. "I think for how people perceive it, basically it all depends on whether you trust your senator or governor or what have you to do the job and whether they're looking out for you vs. themselves."

New York was relatively forgiving of Gillibrand's predecessor and presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, but the current senator is facing some criticism because she said this during a debate last year:

Moderator: Just want to make this clear: You're saying you will not get out of the race, you will not run for president, you will serve your six years.

Gillibrand: I will serve my six-year term.

"I think this is one of those lines of attack in politics that usually doesn't have a lot of teeth. This was something that was tried against President Obama," Lee said. "He was just in the Senate for a little amount of time and he missed this vote or these committee hearings, and I don't think it sunk in or it did any damage to him."

"Where it does damage is if people already think that you're only looking out for yourself and already think you're not paying attention to their needs," Lee added.

Gillibrand won her re-election with a decisive margin of 67 percent, a solid and comfortable number.

But despite criticism and obstacles, Gillibrand insists that the needs of the people of New York will be met whether it's from Capitol Hill or the White House.

"I intend to serve the people of New York in the Senate well," she said. "I will continue to fight for them in everything I do."