ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been served a stinging rebuke by a little-known law professor who claimed a 35 percent showing in New York’s Democratic primary, complicating his re-election plans and his possible presidential ambitions.
Cuomo ignored Fordham University law professor Zephyr Teachout for much of the campaign. But Teachout’s criticism of Cuomo’s centrist policies won over more than a third of Democrats in Tuesday’s primary.
Cuomo now faces Republican Rob Astorino in November. Observers say that while he’s still a favorite for re-election, Teachout’s campaign exposed some vulnerabilities.
The primary also saw former Buffalo congresswoman Kathy Hochul defeat Tim Wu in the Democratic race for lieutenant governor.
In legislative races, Republican Sen. Mark Grisanti of western New York lost his re-election bid, as did indicted Democratic Sen. Malcolm Smith.
