The state branch of the National Organization of Women, or NOW, announced Monday it endorsed Democrat Zephyr Teachout for governor ”“ another blow from a major state organization against incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Cuomo, who has yet to agree to a debate with Teachout before the primary election next month, saw the state AFL-CIO, which represents more than 3,000 unions, and New York State United Teachers stay neutral and not back a candidate. The Public Employee Federation backed Teachout over Cuomo.
The incumbent handily won his first election as governor in 2010 with limited endorsements from the large labor groups, with the United Teachers union among those that did not support his election. The AFL-CIO did endorse him during his first bid.
Cuomo entered the campaign as the clear favorite to win the general election, with 30-point leads in the polls over Republican challenger and Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino. Questions about the governor”™s meddling and eventual dissolving of an ethics commission have taken a very slight bite out of his popularity. His campaign also failed to remove Teachout from the primary battle, with attorneys for the governor saying she had not proven she lived in the state continuously for the last five years, which is a requirement for candidacy.
Teachout, a Brooklyn resident and law professor, will look to snag the Democratic Party line from Cuomo in a Sept. 9 primary election.
Correction: This article originally listed the date of the primary as Sept. 8.
the primary is Sept. 9