Dennis Shulman (D), a Harvard-educated psychologist and ordained rabbi who has been blind since childhood, announced this week that he was forming an exploratory committee in the race to take on conservative Rep. Scott Garrett (R).

Shulman would join local activist and attorney Camille Abate in the Democratic field and several other names are being floated as possible Democratic contenders in a district that Garrett won by 11 points in 2006.

Shulman said in a release that he plans to make a formal announcement regarding the race in October.

A 5th district resident for two decades, Shulman wrote in an introduction of himself on his campaign Web site that he has been a rabbi for the past five years.

“Because of this I know that what we do matters, and the importance of taking responsibility for the intended and unintended consequences of our choices,” he wrote. “Because of my experience as a blind person, I know how important community and government support can be for people who are struggling.”

— John McArdle