Cuomo wins Dem primary for governor

Bill San Antonio

Gov. Andrew Cuomo defeated challengers Zephyr Teachout and Randy Credico in a Tuesday primary to determine the Democratic party’s nomination in November’s gubernatorial race.

According to unofficial results from the state Board of Elections, Cuomo took 59.92 percent (181,855 votes) of the 549,761 total votes, while Teachout carried 33.08 percent (181,855 votes) and Credico 3.46 percent (19,009).

Cuomo carried 63.42 percent of the vote in Nassau County, receiving 14,298 total votes to Teachout’s 7,309 votes and Credico’s 589 votes, according to the state Board of Elections.

“Today’s outcome is a testament to the progress we have made together over the last four years: restoring economic opportunity, replacing dysfunction with results, putting people before politics and re-establishing New York as a progressive leader for the nation,” Cuomo said in a statement.

Cuomo also congratulated Teachout, a Fordham University law professor, and her running mate for lieutenant governor, Columbia Law School professor Tim Wu, who finished behind former U.S. Rep. Kathy Hochul for the nomination.

Hochul received 303,210 total votes, or 55.15 percent, while Wu took 203,401 votes at 37 percent, according to the state Board of Elections. 

“I am sincerely honored that Democrats for every corner of this state have put their faith in me to be their nominee for lieutenant governor,” Hochul said in a statement. “As a proud daughter of Buffalo, I have a deep gratitude for the support and encouragement they have shown me. And I would also like to thank Tim Wu for running such a spirited campaign.”

At a watch party at the Hudson Terrace restaurant in Manhattan, Teachout told supporters and campaign staff, “We have made history, what we have done is incredible. This campaign represents a new rise in New York politics and in American politics. It’s a fearless force.”

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, the GOP gubernatorial candidate, also offered his congratulations to Teachout and Credico “for an exciting and hard fought primary contest,” he said in a statement, imploring their supporters to “join me in the fight to clean up Albany corruption and pay-to-play politics that is dragging this state to its knees morally and economically.” 

“I won in Westchester twice with the help of Democrats and independents who were willing to join hands with me in cleaning up government, lowering taxes on struggling families, and in bringing good paying jobs back to Westchester,” Astorino said. “I give my word to voters thirsting for change – of all political persuasions –  that I will deliver sweeping ethics reforms and government transparency to a capital that hasn’t seen either in years. These are essential reforms toward making New York economically competitive again.” 

Astorino in his campaign has highlighted the ongoing U.S. Attorney’s Office investigation into Cuomo’s abrupt shutdown of the state’s anti-corruption panel known as the Moreland Commission in wake of a lengthy New York Times report in July alleging Cuomo and his staff blocked the panel’s investigations.

In his statement, Cuomo fired back at Astorino and GOP lieutenant governor candidate Chris Moss for a Republican platform that he said would “bring back the hyper-partisan gridlock that has ground Washington to a halt.” 

“Our state can never succeed if we refuse to believe in it. New York is on its way to reclaiming its place as a model for the nation and the world,” Cuomo said. “We must not turn back now. We can and we will continue to create jobs, reduce taxes, invest in education and make New York a center for opportunity, innovation and equality for all.”

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