"We don't need a 'super-administrator' for this job," she said in an obvious reference to County Administrator Michael Hein, who announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination for county executive last November. Zimet, who voted to appoint Hein in June of 2006, said he had been "a good administrator, but this is an entirely different kind of job. This is about the future."

Hein, a Hurley resident, said he is "uniquely qualified" to serve as county executive, given his almost 2{ years of administering the county.

Former Legislator Michael Berardi, D-Ulster, one of about 25 Zimet supporters at the announcement event, spoke of her as a candidate who "knows the difference between hindsight and vision."

Zimet, D-New Paltz, characterized Hein as little more than an extension of the Democratic majority, a charge Hein strongly rejected.

She said it was the Democratic majority of the Legislature, not the administrator, that brought forth new ideas and procedures, reduced the growth in property taxes from 39 to 7 percent over three budgets and completed the jail project after Democrats assumed the majority in January 2006. Hein was deputy county treasurer when hired by the county.

Hein termed his relationship with the Legislature "a team effort," noting that 13 of 19 incumbent Democratic legislators have endorsed his candidacy. Three support Zimet and three are neutral.

"I presented budgets that were more than just numbers," Hein said following Zimet's announcement on the front lawn of the Ulster County Office Building. "These budgets were laden with innovations, substantial savings in health care, restructuring and consolidation of departments. Our 2007 budget actually cut spending for the first time under the administrative form of government. The Legislature had more than enough time to change anything they wanted, but those budgets passed substantially unchanged."

Zimet, who was twice elected town of New Paltz supervisor before an 18-vote defeat in 1999, was unopposed for a third term in the Legislature last year. She ran unsuccessfully for state Senate in 2006.

A former advertising executive, Zimet, 53, said her experience in elected office and business commends her over Hein, 42, who is making his first run for office. "The upcoming election is about leadership, vision, problem solving and coalition building," she said.

The first executive will be elected to a three-year term in November and thereafter to four-year terms to coincide with local elections that are held biannually for the most part. The salary, expected to be in the $120,000-a-year range, has yet to be determined by the Legislature.

The candidates will meet in debate for the first time at 7 p.m. tonight at New World Home Cooking restaurant on state Route 212, Saugerties. Sponsored by the Saugerties Democratic Committee, the event is open to the public.