Democrat Zephyr Teachout, a 2014 gubernatorial candidate, officially has jumped into the 19th Congressional District race after briefly flirting with a bid.

“Throughout my career, I’ve never been afraid to stand up for ordinary citizens whose voices are drowned out by special interests, big corporations, and powerful insiders,” Teachout said in a statement. “I’m running for Congress to give people their voices back so together we can address the real concerns facing our communities.”

Teachout, a Vermonter by birth, has lived in New York City and owns a home in Dutchess County.

Democrats in the expansive district had wanted Ulster County Executive Mike Hein to run, though he decided against joining the crowded race despite the overtures of all 11 county Democratic chairs.

The county leaders endorsed Fordham Law professor Teachout a week ago.

Teachout, whose failed bid against Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the 2014 democratic primary for governor earned her considerable notoriety within Democratic circles, is the highest profile Democrat to announce her intention to seek the seat, which is being vacated by Republican Rep. Chris Gibson at the end of this year. John Patrick Kehoe of Dutchess County also has formed a committee.

Teachout won 10 of the district’s 11 counties in the race against Cuomo (the 11th was Broome County, only a sliver of which is part of the 19th district).

The Republican side of the race has swelled in the past four or so months. Dutchess County businessman Andrew Heaney and former Assembly minority leader and gubernatorial candidate John Faso have focused their campaign rhetoric on each other as Robert Bishop of Delaware County has remained relatively quiet.

Republican Assemblyman Pete Lopez of Schoharie had announced a bid but withdrew shortly thereafter, citing the need to care for his ailing father.