Michelle Hinchey

Michelle Hinchey was born in Saugerties, New York. Hinchey earned a bachelor's degree from Cornell University in 2009. Her career experience includes working as the executive director of corporate communications for the EPIX TV network and as a grassroots organizer with Environment NY. Hinchey has served on the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development board of directors.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in the 46the District and attended Saugerties High School before graduating from the Industrial and Labor Relations School at Cornell University. Over the past 10 years, I worked my way up as a Communications Executive in the technology and media fields.

I'm proud to be the daughter of the late Congressman Maurice Hinchey who showed me that with hard work and compassion, you can make a positive impact on your community.

I value being involved in issues important to our region. I served on the Board of Directors of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development which fosters the environmental and economic well-being of the Catskill region, and worked with Environment NY on a year-long grassroots campaign to ban fracking across NYS, leading to the State's Moratorium.

For the past few years, I've focused on bringing more effective, equitable representation to Upstate NY. I served as a top surrogate for now U.S. Congressman Antonio Delgado in the 2018 election. With women only holding 19 out of 63 NYS Senate seats, I am running to be a new voice in Albany and to fight for upstate New Yorkers to ensure they get their fair share.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

The communities of Senate District 46 are economically challenged with too few opportunities for people to access good paying, long-term, local jobs. We see the effects of this by how many young people are leaving the area for better opportunities elsewhere. The people of SD-46 need to know that their State Senator is doing everything they can to strengthen the economy and facilitate the investment in sustainable industries that will provide good jobs and benefits for decades to come, including expanding our apprenticeship programs, focusing on a Green jobs economy and supporting small businesses and our Main Streets so people can follow their passions and start their own businesses near where they want to live. Solidifying affordable access to healthcare and housing is also a top priority. Families are being priced out of their homes due to rising taxes and housing costs while others are one medical emergency away from bankruptcy. We need to look at these issues as basic human rights.We need to invest in our aging infrastructure with a focus on increasing access to broadband in our rural communities. Our region does not have a fair shot economically if we don't have reliable access to the internet. It's a significant challenge from a health and safety perspective; an economic development and tourism perspective; and an equal opportunity for education perspective.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Personally, it's always been incredibly important to me to fight to protect our natural resources. Growing up, my father was known as the 'Environmental Conscious of NYS', but still to this day we see throughout our district, and all of NYS, there has been a dramatic rise of illegal toxic dumping that has ruined our topography, destroyed wetlands and brought toxic chemicals into our soil and our drinking water. It's happening in communities all over and we need to hold these bad actors accountable. Our water systems in many parts of our district have become contaminated, either from aging infrastructure or PFAS, leaving people without access to clean drinking water. Access to both clean water and clean air must be guaranteed and protected.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I grew up with a model of what a public servant could and should be. My father, the late Rep. Maurice Hinchey, was the first Democrat elected to his district since 1912 and was known as a champion of working people and the environment. I was his shadow, joining him on dozens of bipartisan policy conferences on topics including Energy and Environmental Impacts, Trade, Climate Change, International Relations and Economic Development starting when I was seven years old and working with him through his final campaign in 2012. I learned how to create bipartisan support and stand up for what I believe in, and at 32, will be one of the only young people and women in the Democratic conference, outside of NYC, bringing a unique perspective on the challenges facing our rural communities for young people to stay in Upstate NY.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe that the core responsibilities for a person with the privilege to be in public office are listening, taking action and delivering results. Holding office should not be about one's self interests. It must be about taking seriously the responsibility that you are there to serve those who have entrusted you to represent their interests and their values.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

September 11th, 2001. I was 14 in Mr. Perpetua's Biology class at Saugerties High School.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Be a Light - Thomas Rhett.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Previous government experience is beneficial, but it is not the only way to truly understand the needs and challenges of the people you represent. A state legislator should be someone who knows how to listen, empathize, and help solve complex problems. That is why I started our campaign with a listening tour of all five counties that make up the 46th District, to talk to stakeholders at all levels about the most important issues that our communities face. We need officials in Government who truly care about the people they serve. That can come with previous elected experience or from a desire to serve with previous involvement in your community.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

New York State faces many current and future challenges, including:

Rebuilding our economy from the impacts of COVID-19.

Closing our current budget deficit.

Creating new economic opportunities for all New Yorkers.

Implementing aggressive and comprehensive Climate Change policy.

Fairly funding education.

Women's equality, especially equal pay for equal work.

Guaranteeing affordable and quality healthcare.

Rebuilding an already crumbling infrastructure.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Agriculture, Environmental Conservation, Commerce/Economic Development and Small Business, Education, Energy and Telecommunications, Labor, Local Government, Women's Issues.