By: News Channel 34 | WITV Binghamton

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LITTLE FALLS, N.Y.

A Utica area businessman has joined a crowded field seeking to replace retiring Congressman Richard Hanna.

Martin Babinec of Little Falls formally announced his campaign this week, running as a member of the Independence Party.

The entrepreneur was recently endorsed by the third party.

Babinec is the founder of TriNet, a cloud-based HR company that employs around 25 hundred people.

He says his focus is on improving the economy to the point where young people no longer feel the need to leave our region to pursue their careers.

“Having the opportunity to raise the tide and raise a lot of votes across upstate New York requires both vision and the willingness to collaborate with others and I am a candidate that is willing to do both,” said Babinec.

Babinec joins 4 Republicans, 2 Democrats and a Libertarian candidate vying for the 22nd Congressional District seat.