(COMMON DREAMS) Lauren McCauley, June 29, 2016— Bold progressive and “anti-corruption crusader” Zephyr Teachout sailed to victory Tuesday night, nabbing the Democratic nomination for New York’s 19th Congressional District.
“Together we’re going to take back our democracy from the powerful interests and lobbyists who want to keep us out,” Teachout declared in a statement, just after the vote was called. With most precincts in the district reporting, Teachout emerged with a enormous 74-26 victory over rival Will Yandick.
“The best defense against big money is people,” she continued, “and when we come together, we can have clean water, good jobs, strong communities and a government of, by and for the people.”
Her victory was celebrated widely as a “huge win for progressives.”
“Zephyr’s win shows how bold progressive ideas like breaking up too-big-to-fail banks, expanding Social Security benefits instead of cutting them, and getting the corrupting influence of big money out of politics resonate with voters in purple swing districts,” said Stephanie Taylor, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.
“Zephyr is helping to show Democrats across the nation how to take back the House,” Taylor continued, “by running on big ideas and challenging corporate power in a way that is popular with Democrats, Independents, and Republicans.”