ITHACA, N.Y. — Anti-Corruption lawyer and progressive activist Zephyr Teachout endorses Anna Kelles’ nomination for New York State Assembly District 125, her campaign announced on Thursday.
“I’m endorsing Anna today because it will make a huge difference to have a fearless, progressive climate and health activist who is also a brainiac epidemiologist in Albany,” said Teachout.
Teachout has been teaching as an Associate Professor of Law at Fordham University since 2009. She also ran for the Democratic nomination for the Governor of New York State in 2014 and was the first national Director of The Sunlight Foundation, a non-partisan organization advocating for more open government.
“It’s an honor to be endorsed by Zephyr Teachout, a true champion in the activist community,” said Kelles. “Zephyr has literally written the book on political corruption and is recognized as a national expert. I look forward to working with her, and other progressives in Albany.”
Kelles has also picked up the endorsements of, Eleanor’s Legacy, The Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 267, The Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 3 and The Tompkins-Cortland Building & Construction Trades Council and Working Families Party.
Kelles has also been endorsed by Cynthia Nixon, who challenged Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a primary in 2018, while Teachout was vying for the attorney general nomination. Both visited Ithaca during those campaigns.
She is one of the seven candidates for the Democratic ticket after the longtime Assemblymember Barbara Lifton announced her retirement. The other candidates include Jordan Lesser, the former Legislative Counsel to Lifton; Lisa Hoeschele of Cortland; Seph Murtagh, City of Ithaca Alderperson; Jason Leifer, Dryden Town Supervisor; Beau Harbin, Cortland County Legislator; local attorney Sujata Gibson.
The primary will be held on June 23. Due to COVID-19, all voters are able to request absentee ballots and early voting begins on June 13.