CORTLANDT -- Westchester cardiologist and Cortlandt Town Board member Dr. Richard Becker announced he is beginning to assemble a campaign to challenge Congresswoman Nan Hayworth (R-NY19) in 2012.

Becker said Hayworth has cast "a string of votes" that put "political ideology ahead of jobs."

Hayworth is also a medical doctor. But, Becker said 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."

If he runs and is elected, Becker said he intends to be "an independent congressman who puts Hudson Valley jobs before Washington's ideological wars and ensures the continued success of Medicare for our seniors."