‘Game on,’ Fordham professor says; Will battle Cuomo in primary

Zephyr Teachout will challenge Gov. Cuomo in a Democratic primary.

Despite a challenge from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s campaign, a Brooklyn Supreme Court ruled Monday that Fordham law professor Zephyr Teachout met the residency requirement needed to run for governor in New York.

She will face Cuomo during the Sept. 9 Democratic primary.

“There wasn’t supposed to be a primary in Andrew Cuomo’s New York,” Teachout said Monday afternoon. “Game on.”

Prior to Monday’s ruling, Teachout defeated another challenge from the Cuomo camp — “the Governor and his old boys club,” as she says — regarding her campaign petition signatures.

Now she wants a debate.

“New York Democrats deserve a debate between Andrew Cuomo and myself about the issues that real New Yorkers care about: schools, fracking, corruption and building a fair and strong economy,” she said.

Though a source close to Cuomo has said a debate ahead of the Sept. 9 primary face-off is “highly unlikely.” A debate would increase Teachout’s profile, while having little upside for the governor.

All three major New York gubernatorial candidates this year are directly linked to Fordham. Teachout is currently a law professor, Cuomo graduated in 1979 and GOP challenger Rob Astorino graduated in 1989. Students have gathered online, encouraging the candidates to return to campus and hold a debate.