Matt Hamilton is reporting at Capitol Confidential Democrat Mike Hein announced Fri., Dec. 18, he will not run for Congress in the 19th District. Hein's decision leaves the Democratic establishment without its preferred candidate. The newly re-elected Ulster County Executive told the Daily Freeman he decided not to run because there is work left to be done in Ulster County. The 11 county Democratic chairs in the Hudson Valley, including heads of the Rensselaer, Greene, Columbia and Schoharie committees, sent a letter to Hein in November urging him to run. The race to fill the seat currently held by Kinderhook Republican Chris Gibson is already full. Four Republicans have declared their intention to run, including, John Faso of Kinderhook, Andrew Heaney of Dutchess County, Pete Lopez of Schoharie and Robert Bishop of Delaware County. John Patrick Kehoe of Ulster County is the only Democrat to so far file to run. Gibson announced in early 2015 that he would not seek re-election when his third term expires next year. He is currently considering a run for governor in 2018. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.