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Meet Michelle Hinchey

Dear Neighbor,
All my life I watched my dad, Maurice Hinchey, fight for Upstate New Yorkers as an Assemblyman and Congressman. Known as a champion of working people, he and my mom raised me to believe that there was no higher calling than public service, and to never let anyone stand in the way of doing what’s right.
I saw their commitment to service every day—from the time someone left a message on our answering machine pleading for help to the long car rides we’d take to listen to the concerns of our neighbors across Upstate.
It was their example that inspired me to become a grassroots organizer, fighting to protect our drinking water, and to lead with integrity as a communications executive.

After my dad passed, I couldn’t stop thinking of all the people he helped day in and day out. There were so many. And today, there are many more that still need someone fighting for them.
That’s why I’m running for State Senate—to keep fighting for Upstate’s future and the people who call our region home, no matter who stands in the way. My father taught me to stand up for what’s right, work hard and never back down. That’s exactly what I will do as your next State Senator.
Let me prove it to you,
Michelle Hinchey

Endorsements
Michelle has built a wide‑ranging coalition.
So far, she has earned the endorsements of these unions, advocacy organizations, elected officials, and democratic clubs and organizations:




































































Issues in the 46th District

The 46th District includes parts of Ulster, Albany and Schenectady counties, and all of Greene and Montgomery counties. Despite our distance, we share many of the same issues and concerns.
Common Sense Politics
I believe that government has a responsibility to work for the people, not special interests. As citizens and lawmakers, we have a collective responsibility to help enable each of us as individuals to rise to the best of our abilities, so that we can better ourselves, our families, and our communities. I will be a State Senator who will put solutions above partisan politics. I will be an active upstate voice at the table fighting to bring much needed funds back to our communities, to make our area stronger and more secure. And unlike our current Senator, I will reach across the aisle to find bi-partisan solutions that make sure we’re putting our residents first.
Upstate Jobs
It’s no secret that young people are leaving our communities in search of better job opportunities elsewhere. We need to focus on keeping our talent here, creating clear pathways to economic security. We can revitalize our job growth by giving our business sector new economic and educational tools to attract new investment, not only in manufacturing but in expanding the service and technology sectors. We are in an excellent position to attract substantial new green and renewable energy industries, and to provide diverse educational training and mentorship programs to prepare our workforce for the future. Many economists expect job growth for the green and environmental sectors to soar over the next few years. NY’s 46th District should be a leader in attracting these opportunities.
Health Care
Health care is a basic human right, but right now, we’re in crisis. All New Yorkers deserve access to affordable, quality care and the ability to age with dignity and respect. I’ve seen first-hand how our healthcare system ignores the most vulnerable, especially in our rural communities. We must focus on ensuring that greater long-term care services are readily available to all New Yorkers and that prescription drug prices don’t force people to choose between food and medicine. We must also work to strengthen and protect our healthcare workforce through ensuring expanded job training opportunities, the ability for advancement and reliable livable wages.
Education
Education is the great equalizer and all students deserve a high-quality, affordable education no matter their situation. Our rural schools need increased access to the latest technologies and updated curriculums to stay on track with state standards and all schools need a better focus on mental health programs so that every child gets a fair shot. We need innovative solutions to address and strengthen our upstate education system and I will fight to make sure our students and teachers are getting the resources they need to be successful.
Infrastructure
Upstate NY needs greater investment in our infrastructure, from roads and bridges and pipelines that carry our water, to reliable broadband internet services. We must continue to increase investment in long-term development, building resiliency across our region with solutions geared to green development and sustainability. And we need to hold our cable companies responsible so that our upstate communities can finally have access to quality internet service.
Climate Change
The impact of Climate Change on our environment is undeniable and we’re running out of time. We have already experienced the effects of climate change here at home with extreme weather events impacting our daily lives. It’s critically important that we continue efforts to reverse course and develop legislation to protect our children, our communities, our farmlands, and our waterways. We deserve more. And our grandkids deserve better. We must make decisions spanning jobs, development, education, and resources that, by all accounts, work to reverse this dangerous trend.
Environment
We live in an incredibly special and beautiful place in the world. From sprawling farm lands and mountain ranges, to serene lakes and bountiful rivers, we are surrounded by beauty that both inspires and elevates our quality of life. I’m dedicated to fighting to protect our precious natural resources because access to fresh air, clean water and safe food is fundamental to the health of our communities. We must protect our open spaces and be vigilant against introducing toxic substances into our air, land and water. That’s why I spent a year working with The Fund for the Public Interest to ban hydrofracking in Upstate New York. We need to ensure these protections are in place for generations to come.
Women’s Rights
All people should have the right to make informed decisions about their own health care. Since passing landmark legislation in 1917 guaranteeing women the right to vote, NYS has led the struggle for women’s rights. In 2019, NYS led the way on reproductive rights with passage of the landmark Reproductive Health Act. But these rights remain under constant attack. I will always fight to ensure that people can make difficult, personal decisions for themselves and their families without undue government interference, and I support constitutional equality.