Familiar name may enter ring
Democrat Michelle Hinchey, whose father was congressman, may challenge Amedore
The daughter of former U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey is getting ready for a potential state Senate run next year.
Democrat Michelle Hinchey of Saugerties filed paperwork Wednesday to form a campaign committee that would enable her to run against Sen. George Amedore, R-rotterdam, in the 46th District, which stretches from Montgomery County to Ulster County and runs through Schenectady, Albany and Greene counties.
Hinchey, who grew up in Ulster County, is the executive director of corporate communications for the cable channel Epix. The 31-year-old also serves on the board of directors for the Catskill Center, which works to promote the environmental and economic well-being of the region, and was involved in the grassroots effort to ban hydrofracking in New York.
“My father taught me the importance of how public service, hard work and collaboration can bring meaningful change and it’s always been incredibly important to me to give back to the community that raised me,” Hinchey said in a statement.
She is expected to start a district-wide listening tour this week before making a final decision about the race.
In an interview, Hinchey said the Senate Democratic Conference could use “more strong upstate voices.” She identified the expansion of broadband, public education and the environment as key issues for the district.
Hinchey contended that Amedore doesn’t “fairly or accurately represent” his constituents, describing him as an “extremist” on women’s health rights. He voted against the Reproductive Health Act, which codified many federal abortion protections and is viewed by GOP opponents as unnecessary and opening the door to unrestricted abortion.
She also faulted him for voting against 2019 budget bills that included a permanent property tax cap and funding increases for public education. Amedore supports the permanent cap, which he has voted for in the past, and increased education funding, but was opposed to other aspects of the omnibus legislation.
“We have another legislative session next year, where we will continue to address many important issues with an impact on the lives of my constituents and all New Yorkers,” Amedore said in a statement. “I welcome her into the conversation and look forward to a spirited debate about the future of New York.”
Amedore, who is 50 and has represented the district since 2015, was re-elected in November with about 56 percent of the vote. Democratic voters make up about 35 percent of the district, Republicans account for 27 percent and about 27 percent aren’t affiliated with a party.
Hinchey’s father began serving in the state Assembly in 1975 and was elected to Congress in 1992; he served until 2013. He died in 2017 after suffering from a rare brain disorder that was taking away his ability to speak and caused Parkinson’s-like symptoms.