Clinton stumps for Hinchey while Phillips scores Orthodox endorsement

U.S. Representative Maurice Hinchey brought the star power to campaign for him in Binghamton on Monday: None other than Mr. Bill Clinton himself, who spoke to 600 fans, according to Fox 40. (The Star Gazette has a photo gallery.)

Hinchey's Republican opponent for the 22nd Congressional District, George Phillips, is also picking up steam. He won an endorsement from the Catskills Homeowners Alliance, a group of Orthodox Jewish communities in Sullivan and Ulster counties, The Yeshiva World News reported yesterday. And today, former New York City Mayor Ed Koch will throw his support behind Phillips, according to the Daily Freeman.

Hinchey and Phillips have sparred recently over local issues like the operation of HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley's Kingston and Benedictine Hospitals, the Daily Freeman reports.

Hinchey and Phillips will debate at a League of Women Voters forum in Saugerties this Thursday at the Frank Greco Senior Center on Market Street. (State Senator John Bonacic and his Democratic challenger David Sager will be there duking it out as well.)