Zephyr Teachout is running to represent the 19th district of New York in the United States House of Representatives. To highlight her focus on the issue of campaign finance reform, she’s making what may be an unprecedented move in politics: challenging a major donor to a super PAC that’s opposing her to a debate—elevating the fact that billionaires with their own agendas (who don’t live in her district) are spending heavily to support her opponent.
A law professor at Fordham University, Teachout is recognized as an expert in the field of political corruption. She’s literally written a book about it. The donor she is challenging to a debate, billionaire hedge fund investor Paul Singer, recently wrote a check for $500,000 to support the election of the Republican candidate in the race for the House seat, John Faso. While Teachout has had amazing success in fundraising from many small, grassroots donors, this single check effectively made Faso “a serious contender” in the race “overnight.” In response, on Monday Teachout released a video on Facebook calling out Mr. Singer.
“I think the people of the 19th district deserve to hear your actual voice… when you’re putting so much money into trying to buy up representation,” she said.