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Teachers union urges WFP to drop Cynthia Nixon from governor ballot line

Teachers union urges WFP to drop Cynthia Nixon from governor ballot line

N.Y. Post: October 1, 2018

The WFP will vote Wednesday on whether to keep Nixon on the line or to give it Cuomo — or someone else. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins is also seeking WFP support.

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by Carl Campanile

Teachers union President Michael Mulgrew is urging the Working Families Party to dump Cynthia Nixon from its ballot line for governor in the Nov. 6 general election, saying she’ll siphon too many votes on the left away from two-term Democratic incumbent Gov. Cuomo and improve the slim chances of a Republican victory, The Post has learned.

Mulgrew shared his opinion with WFP member Jonathan Westin, director of New York Communities for Change, a source said.

NYCC is a group that the United Federation of Teachers has generously funded over the years, pumping $301,704 into the UFT’s coffers last year.

While Cuomo trounced Nixon by a 2-1 margin in the Democratic primary, she drew 500,000 votes that could be up for grabs in the general election.

“Mulgrew supports the move to get Nixon off the line. It’s too great a risk at this time to elect a Republican,” the source said.

Cuomo’s GOP opponent, Dutchess County executive Marc Molinaro, is on the Conservative and Reform lines. Cuomo is also on the Independence and Women Equality Party lines.

The source said Mulgrew gave his opinion but was not pressuring NYCC officers who are WFP members to do his bidding. Other WFP members have said it’s time to unify around Cuomo.

The WFP will vote Wednesday on whether to keep Nixon on the line or to give it Cuomo — or someone else. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins is also seeking WFP support.

The party has preserved options to move both Nixon and its candidate for lieutenant governor, Councilman Jumaane Williams, off its statewide ballot line in favor of Cuomo and his running mate Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul.

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