Zephyr Teachout featured in a story in the Albany Times-Union about the Working Families Party launching a draft Zephyr Teachout movement in light of recent stories that she was considering a run for the 19th Congressional seat being vacated by Republican Chris Gibson.
Teachout, if you recall, challenged Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the 2014 primary for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination and she battled the governor for the WFP nod as well. While a Fordham law professor whose primary residence was in NYC she apparently has a home in the district as well.
And here is what the WFP is sending members in the district:
Big news: Zephyr Teachout is considering running for Congress in New York’s 19th Congressional District! That’s our district, curving around the Hudson Valley, Catskills, Mohawk Valley and Southern Tier.
Zephyr told the Poughkeepsie Journal last week that she is seriously thinking about it, and expects to make a decision about the race “in about a week.”1 Can you make sure she hears from you before then?
Join New Yorkers from across the 19th District and add your name if you want to see Zephyr Teachout run for Congress!
I know a little about the communities that make up the 19th District. I live in Hurleyville in Sullivan County, and I’ve been an activist, a union member, and raised my family here for the past 28 years.
Zephyr lives in Dutchess County, and would be a great match for the district: she’s a fearless, reform-minded leader who has stood up to both Republicans and Democrats to challenge the status quo. She is a passionate believer in government by and for the people, not just the powerful.
We have an extraordinary opportunity here in the 19th District this year. The incumbent, Republican Rep. Chris Gibson, is retiring, and it will be very competitive seat. We have the chance this November in our area not only to turn this seat blue, but to elect a real Working Families Democrat to Congress.
The idea of Zephyr running is already gaining steam. Just in the last few days, county Democratic chairs have started voicing their support.
Zephyr has never backed down from a fight. But she needs to know we’ll have her back in this one.
Read the entire Albany Times-Union story.