ALBANY—Gov. Cuomo won the nomination of the Working Families Party at its convention Saturday night — but only after promising to help Democrats take back real control of the Senate.
“This is our moment to seize,” Cuomo told party members via video Saturday night.
Cuomo promised to help Democrats bridge their relationship with the IDC, a group of breakaway dems who currently share control with the GOP.
If not, the IDC will face “unified opposition,” Cuomo said.
Cuomo had to make that promise to gain the support of the WFP after the furthest left members worked hard to garner votes for Zephyr Teachout, a Fordham law professor.
Teachout’s name surfaced earlier this week igniting a feud within the party which is comprised of the left and the far left.
The heads of the unions, who help back the party, were on Cuomo’s side since the beginning. However the activist members, who had been furious with Cuomo over their perception of a lack luster agenda, pushed for Teachout.
After a weighted vote Cuomo beat Teachout for the nomination grabbing 58-percent of the vote.
He will now hold three lines on the Fall ballot.
The Gov catered to the WFP convention, on video, for about 10 minutes outlining a very progressive wish list for the state. Cuomo mentioned his support for a $10.10 minimum wage, a desire to pass the Women’s Equality Act, publicly funded campaigns, and the DREAM Act.
“The truth is the state senate has been a problem on many of these issues,” Cuomo said.
During the video some party members who opposed Cuomo stood with their backs to the screen; most booed.