“As a doctor, I can tell you the medicine Nan’s been dispensing in Washington has been bad for local job creation, bad for our local economy, and bad for Hudson Valley seniors,” said Becker, a Democrat, in a statement. “Right now we have a Congresswoman who is more interested in following orders from the Tea Party than she is helping to create local jobs and protecting Hudson Valley seniors’ healthcare. That has got to change.”

In his release, Becker noted that Hayworth to cut a loan guarantee program from the Department of Energy that would have helped an Orange County waste recovery company expand.  He also said Hayworth and her GOP allies want to end Medicare.

"I intend to be an independent congressman who puts Hudson Valley jobs before Washington's ideological wars and ensures the continued existence of Medicare for our seniors," added Becker.

Hayworth has a massive war chest heading into her first re-election race in a district that is considered winnable by both parties.

Other Democrats are said to be looking to jump into the race however, among them Sean Eldridge, an LGBT activist married to Chris Hughes, one of the founders of Facebook;  Mike  Kaplowitz, a Westchester County lawmaker who has twice lost for a local State Senate office; Margo Miller, the former head of Democrats Abroad; and Matthew Alexander, the mayor of Wappingers Falls.