https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Cynthia-Nixon-wins-WFP-nomination-for-governor-12834726.php
Cynthia Nixon wins WFP nomination for governor
Progressive third-party cuts ties with Cuomo
Updated 8:07 pm, Saturday, April 14, 2018
The endorsement might have been surprising a few weeks ago, but in the days leading up to Saturday's meeting of the progressive third party it became clear that Cuomo wouldn't receive the support he had from them in his successful 2010 and 2014 gubernatorial campaigns.
And despite gaining new statewide champions in Nixon and lieutenant governor candidate Jumaane Williams, the party lost the support of major unions that founded it and helped fund its efforts.
"I am indebted to you today and everyday because you are the heart and soul of the progressive New York that we want to create," Nixon told the nearly 200 party members and affiliates at the Hilton Albany. She and Williams received more than 90 percent of the weighted party vote.
Lipton acknowledged it was a "rough week" for the Working Families Party, but said they would remain committed to working on issues that labor unions care about. "Our friends are in a tight spot and we respect their decision," he said.
Nixon accused the governor of demanding loyalty and said people should be free to endorse their preferred candidates.
The schism between the labor unions and the Working Families Party could jeopardize the party's ability to fund its political operations. "We're already having a lot of people stepping up to say they'll make up for any lost funding," party Co-Chair Karen Scharff said. "We'll be fine."
Lipton pointed to a class of engaged voters, who became politically active in response to President Donald Trump, as a new base of support for the Working Families Party. "I think we're building something powerful," he said.
Nixon supporters Saturday were vocal and had a host of complaints with the governor. Zephyr Teachout, who challenged Cuomo for the Democratic primary in 2014 and is working for Nixon, argued that the governor has a history of "broken promises."
Party members believes Nixon is the candidate to accomplish a more progressive agenda, including the legalization of marijuana and a single payer health care system.
Cuomo wasn't without supporters on Saturday, as a small cadre of party members spoke up on his behalf, argued for delaying the party endorsement and made futile procedural moves to avoid supporting Nixon. Advocates for the governor highlighted his record on issues the Working Families Party cares about, such as the moratorium on fracking, the minimum wage increases, creation of paid family leave and the recent unionizing of the nurses at Albany Medical Center.
Party member Antonella Pechtel voted against Nixon's endorsement and spoke during the open discussion about the governor's record on health care. "We can't forget that some of the stuff he has done is good. It's not all bad," she said.
"We can't always win everything we want."
The room was not receptive to these arguments and countered that the governor had to be dragged kicking and screaming on these issues.
It's unlikely that the Working Families Party endorsement of Nixon, who might only end up with their party line in November, is the standard for the party moving forward this year. Scharff said the party will back candidates who share their values and will appear on a major party line on Election Day.
"The Working Families Party has never been a spoiler party - that's never been our goal," she said Saturday.
The spoiler label was brought up during Friday's meeting by party members opposed to the endorsement of Nixon.
If Nixon loses the Democratic primary in September, but has the Working Families line on Election Day, the liberal vote in New York could be fractured and the Republican candidate for governor would likely benefit. State Senator John DeFrancisco and Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro are seeking the GOP nomination.
On Saturday, Nixon wouldn't say if she would actively campaign on the Working Families line if she loses the Democratic Primary, saying it was a decision for the future.
The Working Families Party for governor needs to receive at least 50,000 votes in order to automatically retain a spot on the ballot moving forward.
Reach reporter David Lombardo at 518.454.5427 or david.lombardo@timesunion.com and follow him on Twitter at @Poozer87.
