We want to hear from candidates with their latest news and from our audience with its thoughts. Natasha focuses primarily on Tioga County east and Tom west of Tioga. Email addresses: nvaughn@gannett.com and tpudney@gannett.com.

Myrick endorses Teachout for Attorney General

City of Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick has announced his endorsement of Zephyr Teachout for state attorney general, saying she is the “right candidate for the moment,” citing the need for New York state to serve as a check to the Trump administration.

“I’ve seen them all speak. I like them a lot,” Mayor Myrick said of the candidates Monday afternoon. “The Attorney General’s office protects against corruption across the board…When you have a president that has likely committed high crimes and misdemeanors and bases his businesses out of New York state, having someone who can prosecute these crimes at the state level, where presidential pardon cannot reach, is important.”

A professor at Fordham Law School, public corruption expert and 2014 primary challenger to Governor Andrew Cuomo, Teachout made two appearances in Ithaca over the weekend, joining current primary challenger to the governor, Cynthia Nixon, on her final swing through upstate before the primary Sept. 13.

“When the head of law enforcement is leading the fight against lawlessness in the criminal justice system, that’s when we can turn it around,” said Teachout before pointing to recent endorsements of her campaign by the New York Times, as well as newly-minted progressive powerhouse Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, as proof of her progressive credentials.

While the mayor was out of town over the weekend, he said he would have attended the rally despite it being a split-bill with gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon, who the mayor has said he does not support in her insurgent challenge from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s left-flank.

“I would have attended, it doesn’t matter who it is, I’m fascinated by it and I think the debate is good for the state,” said Myrick, admitting any potential political blowback from appearing with the candidate challenging the governor, who cast a long shadow in state politics. “I don’t know what to do about that [blowback],” said Myrick. “It comes from the heart. I think she’s the best candidate and I’m willing to defend it.”

Cynthia Nixon, Zephyr Teachout campaign in Ithaca

Two progressive candidates for New York's highest elected offices made campaign stops in Ithaca over the weekend, launching hundreds of selfie requests and rousing crowds of campaign volunteers and potential voters.

Cynthia Nixon and Zephyr Teachout outlined their campaign platforms, touting the need to eliminate cash bail, legalize marijuana and a increase focus on equity within New York’s complicated court and education systems — stump speeches similar to others delivered on this swing through upstate, with one notable exception.

Nixon announced that, as governor, she would halt the build-out of natural gas infrastructure and transition New York State to entirely green energy, something she says will generate jobs and ensure a clean environment for future New Yorkers.

"When I am governor I will ensure that the Cayuga power plant is never fueled by fracked gas," said Nixon as the crowd roared. "four years ago the governor banned fracking in New York state,,,it doesn't mean much if we are still importing so much fracked gas and running the gas through pipelines and we're still allowing this massive build-out of fossil fuel infrastructure."

Actor and education activist Cynthia Nixon and former gubernatorial and congressional candidate Zephyr Teachout, who have cross-endorsed one another in their bids for governor and attorney general, respectively, appeared together at The Ithaca Farmers Market and The Space at Greenstar, where event staff had to turn away attendees for fear of violating fire code.

Akshar announces $70,000 for addiction treatment

Senator Fred Akshar announced that Tioga County will receive a $70,000 grant for addiction treatment and recovery. The announcement helped to kick off national recovery month in Tioga County on Saturday at the Tioga County Allies in Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition's 2nd Annual Family Fun Day at Marvin Park in Owego.

The money, which was allotted for the cause in the State Budget, will be administered through the New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services.

Some of the state money will go towards having a full time prevention specialist in Tioga County schools that will work with students in the classroom and after school.

Brindisi urges action on student loans

Congressional candidate, Anthony Brindisi announced that a federal level student loan watchdog position is currently vacant.

Last week a student loan industry watchdog, Seth Frotman at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, resigned, according to Brindisi's campaign there are no plans for his immediate replacement.

“If there is one position at the federal level that should be non-partisan it is the person who protects people paying and applying for student loans because this industry is pervasively polluted with shakedown artists,” Brindisi said in a statement.

GOP Wing Fest 2018 draws big names

Rodney Strange, legislator for Chemung County’s 15th District, will host Wing Fest 2018 at the Elbow Room in Elmira, Sunday, Sept. 9 from 12 to 3 p.m.

The guest list includes GOP representatives from the federal to the local levels with Congressman Tom Reed, State Sen. Tom O’Mara and Assemblymen Chris Friend and Paul Palmesano, all slated to attend as well as candidates for local office.

The Strange fundraiser is to support his bid to retain the County legislative seat in the 15th district. Tickets are $25 and include food, beverage and giveaways.

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