Just as WestView was about to go to press, word came in that the Working Families Party, which has Row D on the ballot state-wide, was going to nominate a candidate to oppose Governor Cuomo, both in the Democratic Primary and in the General Election.
The latest Sienna Poll shows, before any campaigning starts, that any WFP candidate would pull 25% of the vote. The almost WFP candidate was intriguing – Fordham Law Professor Zephyr Teachout. Zephyr was one of the core leaders of Occupy Wall Street, has written extensively on government corruption, used to be a death penalty lawyer, and organized Howard Dean’s 2004 on-line Presidential campaign, the campaign which revolutionized political campaigns and fundraising.
At the last minute, with the help of Mayor de Blasio, and major unions, Cuomo made a deal with the WFP and got their line. But Teachout is moving forward! She has pulled together a core brain trust, including veterans of the on line advocacy group Move On, and is mulling whether to run in the Democratic primary or launch a third party effort. Given the widespread unhappiness with Cuomo’s arrogant style of governing, and his disconnection from working and middle class people, there could be a groundswell of support. I am proud to say that I will serve as her campaign Treasurer.
Cuomo has $33 million in the bank and counting. Ms. Teachout’s campaign will be a polar opposite. Stay tuned.
