Gov. Andrew Cuomo Wins Democratic Primary Against Challenger Zephyr Teachout

With nearly 40 percent of districts reporting at about 10:20 p.m. Tuesday, incumbent Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo appeared to be well on his way to victory over challenger Zephyr Teachout in the party’s primary, according to WNBC-TV.

Unofficially, Cuomo had more than 106,000 votes to Teachout’s 64,000 statewide. In Westchester County, where nearly 65 percent of districts had reported, Cuomo was winning with about 10,500 votes to Teachout’s 6,300, giving the governor roughly 60 percent of the vote tally.

For lieutenant governor, Cuomo’s running mate Kathy Hochul also held a strong lead over Teachout’s running mate Timothy Wu, 60 percent to 40 percent.

Although the victory for Cuomo was decisive, Teachout’s showing displayed Cuomo’s inability to quell drumbeats from the liberal wing of the party who made up the majority of Teachout’s base.

Cuomo will need those votes in November when he takes on Republican Rob Astorino, Westchester County Executive. Cuomo holds a commanding edge over Astorino in fundraising and the polls, but if large numbers of liberals decide to stay home in the fall, the race could tighten up.

Photo: Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Patch file photo