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DEMOCRATS

BACK ZEPHYR

Koch Brothers’ ‘Dark Money’

Headed To 19th, She Reports

Zephyr Teachout laughs as primary foe Will Yandik gives her a $10 bill. Earlier, Teachout described how she and Yandik have been on friendly terms, even meeting for breakfast a couple of times. "I think you owe me $10," she told him kiddingly. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Zephyr Teachout laughs as primary foe Will Yandik gives her a $10 bill. Earlier, Teachout described how she and Yandik have been on friendly terms, even meeting for breakfast a couple of times. “I think you owe me $10,” she told him kiddingly. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)

By JIM KEVLIN • for www.AllOTSEGO.com

Will Yandik, right, recites the Pledge of Allegiance as the committee meeting began. Next to him are Bill Elsey, Springfield; Carol Malz, Oneonta; Tim Gibson, Oneonta, and Barbara Monroe, Hartwick.
Will Yandik, right, recites the Pledge of Allegiance as the committee meeting began. Next to him are Bill Elsey, Springfield; Carol Malz, Oneonta; Tim Gibson, Oneonta; Gary Koutnik, Oneonta, and Barbara Monroe, Hartwick.

COOPERSTOWN – Despite a forceful presentation by her primary opponent that appeared to take her by surprise, Zephyr Teachout won the support of the Otsego County Democratic Committee a few minutes ago in her bid to replace retiring Republican Congressman Chris Gibson in the 19th District this fall.

Teachout addresses the committee.
Teachout addresses the committee.

Teachout, who reminded her audience she won 71 percent of Otsego County voters in her 2014 primary bid against Governor Cuomo, was endorsed by almost all the two dozen county committee members who gathered this evening in Village Board chambers at 22 Main.

Only three – County Rep. Andrew Stammel, D-Town of Oneonta, Springfield Town Supervisor Bill Elsey, and SUNY Oneonta poly-sci associate professor Brett Heindl – supported Will Yandik, a farmer, environmentalist, town board member and Princeton grad (he told of receiving a shotgun as a graduation present) who is vying with Teachout in the April 19 primary.

A fourth, former Oneonta mayor Kim Muller, abstained.

A revelation from Teachout:   She told the 50 party faithful she just learned the Koch brothers have targeted the district – apparently one of a dozen considered in contention nationwide – for “big money, dark money.”

In his remarks, Yandik stressed his Upstate roots as a fourth-generation farmer in Ulster County, noting he won scholarships to Brown and Princeton, but “I’ve come full circle because I believe in this place.”

Politically active SUNY Oneonta students at this evening's committee meeting are, from left, Frank Pacella, Emma Cohen and Shane Digan.
Politically active SUNY Oneonta students at this evening’s committee meeting are, from left, Frank Pacella, Emma Cohen and Shane Digan.

He touched on a number of issues of local interest — tourism, craft foods, microbrewing, broadband — and peppered his remarks with data specific to Otsego County.  For instance, that tourism generates $22 million in tax revenues locally, reducing every family’s tax burden by $834.  He also noted that one in four local people are over 55, and that’s expected to rise to one in three by 2020.

He said that solar panels are becoming cost-effective and , if elected, he would seek an end to all oil and gas subsidies.

Instead of going to D.C. and seeking to change it, he said his strategy would be to look at local needs and see how federal programs might meet them.

Where Yandik discussed his background and ticked off his list of issues in about 10 minutes, Teachout appeared taken aback and spoke, a bit rambling at points — and admitting as much — for more than twice that.

As if Yandik’s farming credentials put her on the defensive, she described her rural upbringing in Vermont, four miles from the local school, where the school bus — a station wagon — would go no further than three miles.  (To laughs, the slender candidate noted she learned early in her school experience that Zephyr “rhymes with heifer.”)

She reported already receiving 4,000 donations, with an average donation of $28, ($1 more than Bernie Sanders’ vaunted $27 average.)  For his part, Yandik said he’s raised $250,000, and both — in response to a question from Muller — described how they are ramping up their campaigns and bringing aboard political pros to help guide the undertakings.

Teachout also got specific on how she might help localities here, talking about sewer and water money — Cooperstown Mayor Jeff Katz, whose village needs such money, was in the audience — and a bridge to connect Oneonta’s D&H yards to the vicinity of I-88 — Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig was present, too.

She spoke out against Common Core — a hot issue locally in 2014, although less of one now — and reflected how big a help it would be if every teacher in the 19th donated a mere $5 apiece to her campaign.

SUNY Oneonta student Frank Pacella, involved in student campaigns, asked who they are supporting for president.  Yandik said he hasn’t made up his mind, adding, “My head is with Hillary, but my heart is with Bernie.”  Teachout said she  has already supported Sanders, noting that they agree on a central issue:  Getting big money out of politics.

In calling the question, Democratic county chair Richard Abbate noted that the executive committee has already met and endorsed Teachout, and he asked the committee to do the same, which it did.

Posted

3 Comments

  1. Amazing that teachout is scaring otsego county voters about the koch bros dark money, when the one prevailing force in this crazy election has been the ineffectiveness of outside money and advertising. Take a look at Iowa and NH, PAC money did nothing!! amazing that their one key issues is being devastated in this election. Once again, Teachout’s narrative just doesn’t fit with this district, very different issues and she’s starting to pander (common core and safe act) but she really doesn’t care. So watch out otsego county voters, the Koch money is coming to tell you about how Teachout is a carpet bagger and doesn’t represent the values of upstate ppl and isn’t even from here. Oh wait… Additionally, I kind of think Yandik needs better advisers around him, he’s going to start off his political career with a big primary L when he could have made a significant splash at a lower level. Lastly, how could anyone ABSTAIN from a committee endorsement? Is that a joke Muller? Must be she’s already cozied up to Teachout. Going to be a good one in the 19th.

  2. How do members of the fourth estate allow comments like Koch Brothers and Dark money slide on by without some questions? Aren’t we the least bit curious what that means? Did facebook money worry her when Sean Eldridge ran? That guy was a carpetbagger but cause he was liberal we let that slide?

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