Battle for Upstate NY House Seat Expected to Be Intense
A college professor who launched a liberal challenge to New York's governor faces a former Republican lawmaker who has been a sharp-tongued critic of liberal policies in a marquee congressional battle for an open seat north of New York City.
Democrat Zephyr Teachout and Republican John Faso differ ideologically but share an ability to fight hard and raise money. Both parties expect an expensive battle for the upstate seat opening with the retirement of Republican Rep. Chris Gibson.
The race playing out among small cities and rural towns of the 19th Congressional District is among a handful in the state that loom large as House Democrats try to trim the Republicans' 247-188 majority this year. Democrats believe a Hillary Clinton-versus-Donald Trump matchup at the top of the ticket will help them in swing districts and are already using Trump as a cudgel against GOP incumbents in some of those New York districts.
Teachout, 44, is a Fordham University law professor who capitalized on liberal disenchantment with Cuomo in a surprisingly strong 2014 primary challenge to his re-election bid. She moved to the district after losing the Democratic primary. She is now on unpaid leave from the university. She has written about political corruption as an academic and has fought for campaign finance reform as an activist. Teachout is a veteran of Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/battle-upstate-ny-house-seat-expected-intense-40515835
