Elliott Auerbach, Ulster County Democratic Dinner, Oct. 2, 2011

Ulster Dems back Hein, Sennett, in attempt to take back county legislature

Ulster Democrats threw their weight behind county executive Mike Hein, in remarks made at Sunday night's fundraiser dinner. The gala event happened at Hillside Manor restaurant in Kingston.

Supports are betting that Hein's popularity as the county's first executive will help sweep other Democrats into office -- taking back control of the legislature. "We have an opportunity to take back the legislature," confirmed Hein. "Not only is it possible, it's absolutely essential."

Hein praised his electorate. "It's not about the geography, it's not about the size, or the place -- it's about the people," he observed. "There is nobody that can compare to the people of Ulster County, Hein said, adding, There is nobody that can compare to the Democratic Party of Ulster County -- because we give it its heart."

Hein, who is unopposed, expects an easy win. "He has certainly set the bar very very high," said Congressman Maurice Hinchey, "So high, in fact, that the Republicans have not been able to find anyone qualified to replace him."

NY State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, the keynote speaker, asked, "Do you realize Mike Hein is the only incumbent county executive that we have on the ballot -- and the only one really then, in New York State?" He noted, "We as Democrats need to prove at every level of government, that we understand what it means to balance a budget, to manage finances during a tough time, to be creative about how we look at for the public interest."

DiNapoli insisted, "Mike Hein's leadership is one we can point to across the state, as an incentive for other counties to start electing Democrats to be county executives as well, so Mike Hein is not alone."

In an effort to collectively sweep this year's election for his party, Hein pledged ten thousand dollars of his own money to the county Democratic committee.

Among the top goals for November 8th, Democrats seek to have challenger Jonathan Sennett win the district attorney's office from incumbent Holly Carnwright. In the wake of fiscal allegations concerning the management of confidential bank accounts, Sennett is considered a much-needed reformer to the entrenched Republican control of Ulster County's prosecutor's seat.

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