Teachout was nominated for a seat in the 106th Assembly District, which covers parts of Dutchess and Columbia counties between Hudson and Poughkeepsie. | AP Photo Teachout gets seat on Cuomo's Democratic State Committee

ALBANY — Zephyr Teachout, a law professor who challenged Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a 2014 primary and ran unsuccessfully for Congress last year, has been nominated for a seat on the Democratic State Committee.

The post is not particularly powerful or prestigious. But it’s a step back into electoral politics for Teachout — who harnessed progressive Democrats and Cuomo antagonists three years ago — onto the governor’s own turf.


“I just got nominated yesterday. I’m thrilled to take this position. There’s a lot I need to learn about the inner workings of the party, but I plan to work with the progressive caucus,” Teachout told POLITICO. “I think we need to be active in every way — and it’s not just financial support — building the local Democratic party. I think there’s a lot more we can do, and it’s a really exciting time right now. For dark reasons. A lot of people are energized by Donald Trump’s election and the Republican Congress.”

Teachout was nominated for a seat in the 106th Assembly District, which covers parts of Dutchess and Columbia counties between Hudson and Poughkeepsie. She will succeed Doris Kelly, a former congressional candidate who recently passed away.

The area is part of the 19th Congressional District, where Teachout challenged Rep. John Faso in 2016. She has said she will not be a candidate for Congress in 2018.

But when asked by POLITICO, she would not rule out a future run for political office. She said a lawsuit against Trump over what she says is a violation of the constitutional emoluments clause, in addition to her teaching work, is keeping her occupied.

“What I’ve been focused on is really building up our Town of Clinton Democratic Committee,” Teachout said.

Teachout is expected to be installed when the Democratic State Committee convenes Tuesday outside Albany.