Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Zephyr Teachout and Tim Wu




Dear New York MoveOn member, 

Today is the Democratic Primary election across the state of New York. 

Earlier this year, MoveOn members across the Empire State weighed in, and 73% of respondents said they wanted to see a progressive challenger run against incumbent Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo—citing concerns like his close ties to Wall Street.

Since then, thanks to pressure from our friends at the Working Families Party, Governor Cuomo has made some big commitments to pass progressive legislation—including support for the DREAM Act, the Women's Equality Act, public financing of elections, and an increase in the minimum wage. And he's committed to help give the State Senate a Democratic majority. This was a significant shift for the Governor, and in return for these commitments, the Working Families Party agreed to endorse Gov. Cuomo in the general election this November.

But many progressive voters still want to express their dissatisfaction with Gov. Cuomo—and vote positively for someone they feel more closely represents their values. If you're a registered Democrat in New York you can do that by voting for Zephyr Teachout for Governor and Tim Wu for Lieutenant Governor in the primary election TODAY. 

Zephyr Teachout is a long-time anti-corruption activist and legal scholar running for Governor, and Tim Wu, an author, policy advocate, professor at Columbia Law School, and advocate for "net neutrality" (he actually coined the term!) is running for Lieutenant Governor. 

Here's how The New York Times put it1:

"[T]hose who want to register their disappointment with Mr. Cuomo's record on changing the culture of Albany may well decide that the best way to do that is to vote for Ms. Teachout (...) that impulse could send a powerful message to the governor and the many other entrenched incumbents in Albany that a shake-up is overdue."

And here's what the Times had to say about the race for Lieutenant Governor in their endorsement of Tim Wu, and against Gov. Cuomo's choice of Kathy Hochul2:

"Mr. Wu, a political newcomer, offers a fresh perspective and a new voice to counter Albany's entrenched players. Ms. Hochul does not, and she has a deeply troubling record on health reform, gun control and environmental deregulation. For these reasons, we recommend Mr. Wu in the Democratic primary."

Regardless of your party affiliation and who you're ultimately voting for, since getting out to vote is so important, we're tracking when MoveOn members are planning to vote today. Polls are open until 9 p.m tonight. 

When will you be voting? (Not sure if you're registered or where to vote? Click here.)
Thanks for all you do. 

Ilya, Milan, Alejandro, Maria, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "The Governor's Primary in New York," The New York Times, August 27, 2014

2. "Timothy Wu for Lieutenant Governor," The New York Times, August 28, 2014

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