September 10, 2014

Cuomo Defeats Teachout, Liberal Rival, in the Democratic Primary

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Sandra Lee, his girlfriend, after voting in the New York primary at the Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco in Westchester County. Credit Andrew Sullivan for The New York Times        
N.Y. TIMES

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York claimed the Democratic nomination for a second term on Tuesday, but at a considerable price: A liberal challenger with little money or name recognition, Zephyr Teachout, was on track to receive about a third of the vote, a signal of the potent dissatisfaction with Mr. Cuomo in his party’s left wing.

Mr. Cuomo avoided what could have been a more damaging blow to his prestige, as his choice for lieutenant governor, Kathy Hochul, a former congresswoman from Buffalo, soundly defeated Ms. Teachout’s running mate, Tim Wu.
 
Zephyr Teachout, Mr. Cuomo’s challenger, managed a stronger-than-expected showing. Credit Ángel Franco/The New York Times        
 
In a statement on Tuesday night, the governor congratulated Ms. Teachout and Mr. Wu, who are both law professors, “on running a spirited campaign, engaging in the democratic process and having the courage to make their voices heard.”
Mr. Cuomo now heads into the November general election in a strong position, facing a little-known conservative opponent in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans two to one.