By PATRICIA DOXSEY
Freeman staff

KINGSTON, N.Y. — Ulster County Executive Michael Hein is considering a run for Congress.

Hein, who has been widely rumored to be eyeing a run for the post, said Tuesday that he hasn’t ruled out possibility of becoming a candidate for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey.

“Congressman Hinchey is a tremendous public servant with limitless courage and no one can truly replace him,” said Hein. “I have been approached by many to run for Congress and that is both humbling and flattering and hopefully reflective of this administration’s commitment to the people of Ulster County.

“The most important thing is that the people of Ulster County are strongly represented at every level of government and at this time I have made no final decisions,” he said.

Hinchey, D-Hurley, has represented Ulster County in Congress since 1993. On Jan. 19, Hinchey announced he would step down from the post in December, at the end of his 10th two-year term.

In 2008, Hein, a Democrat, became Ulster County’s first county executive. In November, he ran unopposed for election to a full four-year term as county executive.

Last week, Democrat Julian Schreibman resigned as chairman of the Ulster County Democratic Committee to become a candidate for Congress. In making his announcement, Schreibman  acknowledged he didn’t know what the district he would run in would look like.

Hinchey represents New York’s 22nd Congressional District, which stretches from the Mid-Hudson Valley to the state’s Southern Tier.

The boundaries of the 22nd could change during this year’s redistricting process, which will reduce the number of House seats in New York by two. The fact that the district now will lack a sitting congressman could compel those overseeing the process to eliminate or carve up the existing district.

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