You don’t have to see any candidate’s internal polling to learn that Zephyr Teachout is turning into the frontrunner in the race for State Attorney General.

After watching the NY1 debate last night, it’s clear that Teachout has a big target on her back. And, pardon me, she’s “Professor” Teachout as her three opponents repeatedly called her. Apparently, academics make lousy leaders.

Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney also accused Teachout of hypocrisy for taking corporate donations in the past but not in this race. But "everyone’s doing it” may not be the best campaign slogan.

Another slogan that’s probably not a winner is Letitia James’s reminder that “not everyone in Albany is corrupt.” While that’s certainly true, it may not be what voters want to hear in this take-no-year of politics.

This race is no longer flying under the radar – and there’s now at least one professor who’s looking over her shoulder.

 

Bob Hardt