Zephyr: A Breath of Fresh Air to Voters

By JENNIFER SZULMAN & MICHEL PEDROSO

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Democratic primary opponent, Zephyr Teachout, continued on Tuesday to act as a thorn in his side, telling voters she was intent on “breaking up this all-boys club.”

While her election bid fell short of the mark the Fordham University law professor and political neophyte managed to tarnish the governor’s liberal credentials and diminish his national standing by coming out of nowhere to capture nearly 38 percent of the vote despite Cuomo’s bulging war chest.

Teachout’s and her running mate Tim Wu’s ebullient and free-wheeling campaign stood in sharp contrast to the careful approach taken by the incumbent who almost acted as if Teachout’s campaign didn’t exist.  Many political pundits say this strategy worked to Cuomo’s disadvantage.

In several public appearances Tuesday Teachout connected strongly with ordinary New Yorkers, especially women, by portraying her opponent as an out-of-touch elitist.

“Andrew Cuomo has been taking money out of the public and giving it away in tax giveaways to a very small number of big banks and corporations,” she said after both she rode a CitiBike and Wu his personal bike  to an event in Harlem.

Teachout hugged and danced with potential voters who turned out to show their support.

“She cares about women’s issues. Men forget about us once they get into office,” said Dr. Marilu D. Galvan,  an educator in Harlem.  “It is about time we start engaging and get our females into power.Why should women be paid less? We are always in the minority. A good governor should not forget about the community.”

NYU professor Barbara Tirrell also voiced support. “I’m ready to see a progressive in office … and I’m tired of seeing Democrats play it safe.”