Bill Mahoney is reporting at Politico New York former state senator Cecilia Tkaczyk says she is leading an effort to take control of the Women’s Equality Party. The party was created by Gov. Andrew Cuomo during his successful re-election campaign last year, and gained official party status when he received more than 50,000 votes on that line. The governor signed organizational rules for the party in July. On Fri., Aug. 28, Tkaczyk submitted competing rules that made her the party’s chair. She spoke briefly about the WEP and her decision on WGXC Mon., Aug. 31: PLAY (:39)  An ally of the governor's dismissed the senator's characterization of the party. "This backroom maneuver is the antithesis of a grassroots movement," said Rachel Gold, the treasurer in the existing WEP. The rules submitted by Tkaczyk describe a party that will support “candidates and policies that end barriers to equality, eliminate discrimination, safeguard reproductive health, and protect women from violence.” Read the full story at Politico New York.