What does 'senator Pothole' mean in:?

Question

Later, he added, “She was very, very gutsy (courageous) originally on the war in Iraq, and she has tried to rival Al D’Amato”—the former New York senator—“in being Senator Pothole.

Answer 1

I think it has to do with getting things fixed for her home district (potholes being an obvious example of something to fix). It may also carry connotations of spending one's time on insignificant matters.

Here's an excerpt from an interview Al D'Amato gave, where he talks about being "Senator Pothole":

Then, in about 1982-83, they said there was nothing that was too small for Alphonse to undertake, and he was like a councilman kind of thing. It was an attempt to diminish my accomplishments. I told people, “Listen, I’m proud to be someone who makes a difference in the lives of my constituents.” It’s better that they call you Senator Pothole. It means you’re attentive and you’re there and available. And that pothole may be a matter of life or death for the person whose needs you are addressing. To them, that’s not a pothole; that is making a difference in their lives.

This passage can be found at:
http://newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/news/people/features/2421/