Rep. Maurice Hinchey, who suddenly finds himself in the GOP’s crosshairs, had a heated exchange with a local reporter at last night’s debate that became physical before the congressman disengaged and walked away, according to witnesses.

The incident between the veteran Democratic congressman and William J. Kemble, a correspondent for The Kingston Freeman, took place shortly before Hinchey squared off against his GOP opponent, George Phillips, at a League of Women Voters debate in Saugerties.

Kemble was asking Hinchey questions about a local development project in which the congressman reportedly has a financial interest and for which he has also secured $800,000 worth of federal funding.

UPDATE1: The money in question apparently was for a water-sewer project in the village of Saugerties that is not directly connected to the project.

Hinchey has previously insisted his only involvement in the project is as a partial owner of the land where it will be built. Last night, he said he has “no financial interest” in the project, and pointedly told Kemble:

“What are you talking about…Are you trying to give the same phony stuff that are you put in the Freeman so many times. Are you still as deceptive as you always have been? Are still you a manipulative guy? You’re full of baloney. You’re full of baloney.”

At this point, another reporter tried to break in to ask a question, and Hinchey said: “Yeah, please ask me something. This guy is just full of baloney.”

When Kemble persisted, Hinchey told him: “Shut up!”

After the shooters turned off their cameras and started to break down, Hinchey made a beeline for Kemble and got in his face, according to a YNN videographer who was on the scene. The congressman poked Kemble in the chest aggressively, according to the YNN staffer.

I spoke with Kemble briefly this afternoon, and he told me Hinchey “put his hand on my throat” and then “realized what he had done and walked away.” The YNN shooter told me he did not witness this part of the altercation.

I called Hinchey’s Washington spokesman and was told to contact his campaign. I’ve left two voice mails for his campaign spokesman and have no heard back yet. The congressman is scheduled to sit down for a CapTon interview that will air next Tuesday. I spoke with Phillips earlier this week.

UPDATE2: Statement from Hinchey’s campaign:

“Mr. Hinchey and Mr. Kemble have had a longstanding antagonistic relationship. Last night, Mr. Kemble rudely badgered Mr. Hinchey during an ongoing taped interview in an attempt to evoke a reaction,” said Liam Fitzsimmons, campaign manager for Rep. Hinchey.

“Following the taped interview, Mr. Kemble continued badgering Mr. Hinchey and took an aggressive step toward him in an attempt to provoke a further argument. Nevertheless, the congressman regrets he didn’t walk away from Mr. Kemble sooner in order to end the heated argument.”

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