Teachout Survives Cuomo Challenge

ALBANY (AP) —

Zephyr Teachout survived another attempt by Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s supporters to knock her off next month’s Democratic primary ballot after a judicial panel ruled Wednesday that she is eligible to run.

The decision ends an effort mounted by two Cuomo campaign interns to disqualify Teachout. The Cuomo campaign said Wednesday it would not appeal the ruling.

The plaintiffs argued that Teachout “retroactively” changed her residency when she decided to challenge Cuomo.

In a unanimous decision, the court ruled that although Teachout had maintained “close connections” to her childhood home, it was “nothing more than an ambiguity.”

Cuomo’s campaign said they have no plans to debate Teachout before the Sept. 9 primary.

But Rob Astorino, the Republican gubernatorial candidate, said Wednesday that if Cuomo refuses to debate his primary opponent, he’ll do it himself.

Astorino and Teachout disagree on most issues, but have found common ground in their criticism of Cuomo.

A new Quinnipiac poll out Wednesday shows Cuomo continuing his 2-to-1 advantage over Astorino, while 88 percent of respondents say they don’t know enough about Teachout to form an opinion.

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