NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo wins Democratic primary, but gets stiff opposition from left wing

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo won his Democratic primary on Tuesday night for a second term — but with a surprisingly moderate-sized victory for someone who previously seemed like an unstoppable political force. His little-known opponent, Zephyr Teachout, a law professor at Fordham University, represented a strong and vocal opposition from Cuomo's left.
With 88 percent of precincts reporting, Cuomo has 61 percent of the vote against Teachout, with 35 percent. In the separate primary for lieutenant governor, Cuomo's running mate Kathy Hochul, a former congresswoman from the Buffalo area, has 59 percent; Teachout's running mate, Columbia University law professor Tim Wu, has 41 percent.
Teachout based her campaign on opposition to Cuomo's centrist policies, including his record of fiscal austerity, and gained the support (or at least the neutrality) of many prominent public employee unions. For his part, Cuomo has touted his progressive accomplishments in areas such as gun control and legalizing gay marriage, while saying that he made the decisions needed for state government to function properly again.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Cuomo has also been under fire — and is reportedly even under federal investigation — for his alleged interference in a commission on public corruption, which he ultimately disbanded. Nevertheless, Cuomo remains the very heavy favorite to win re-election in November against the Republican nominee, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino. A recent Quinnipiac poll showed Cuomo with a lead of 56 percent to 28 percent.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
October 2 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Thursday's political cartoons include ICE on the prowl, Democratic Party leverage, and a difference between Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump.
-
Manchester synagogue attack: what do we know?
Today’s Big Question Two dead after car and stabbing attack on holiest day in Jewish year
-
The Harder They Come: ‘triumphant’ adaptation of cinema classic
The Week Recommends ‘Uniformly excellent’ cast follow an aspiring musician facing the ‘corruption’ of Kingston, Jamaica
-
Judge rules Trump illegally targeted Gaza protesters
Speed Read The Trump administration’s push to arrest and deport international students for supporting Palestine is deemed illegal
-
Trump: US cities should be military ‘training grounds’
Speed Read In a hastily assembled summit, Trump said he wants the military to fight the ‘enemy within’ the US
-
US government shuts down amid health care standoff
Speed Read Democrats said they won’t vote for a deal that doesn’t renew Affordable Care Act health care subsidies
-
YouTube to pay Trump $22M over Jan. 6 expulsion
Speed Read The president accused the company of censorship following the suspension of accounts post-Capitol riot
-
Oregon sues to stop Trump military deployment
Speed Read The president wants to send the National Guard into Portland
-
Trump declares new tariffs on drugs, trucks, furniture
Speed Read He's putting tariffs of 25% on semi trucks, 30% on upholstered furniture, 50% on kitchen and bathroom cabinetry and 100% on certain drugs
-
Amazon reaches ‘historic’ $2.5B Prime settlement
speed read The company allegedly tricked customers into signing up for Prime membership that was then difficult to cancel
-
Trump DOJ indicts Comey, longtime Trump target
Speed Read The president is using the Justice Department to prosecute his political enemies