TIMES UNION: Trackers watch candidates every move, on behalf of opposition

Wearing khakis and a checked shirt, he blended in easily with the crowd that came to cheer Zephyr Teachout’s primary victory party last month.

But rather than a supporter of the 19th Congressional District Democratic candidate, this anonymous photographer was a “tracker,” who, armed with a video camera, will be following and taping every move of the candidate in hopes of catching her in a gaffe or embarrassing statement.

These video-equipped foot soldiers have been around for several years now, and they’ve grown in number with technological advances such as ever-better smartphones or cameras.

Both Democrats and Republicans use trackers and they are typically hired by state or national party organizations or PACs such as America Rising, the national Republican group that is tracking Teachout.

Technically, Teachout’s tracker or trackers are working for the PAC rather than for John Faso, the Republican facing off against Teachout this fall.

His campaign has had no coordination with America Rising, said Faso spokesman Jerry McKinstry.

Either way, this election season in New York will likely be thick with trackers, also known as political paparazzi.

That’s because the national Democratic and Republican parties realize that several congressional districts in the state are competitive and could go either way.

“We do plan to track Zephyr Teachout through the rest of the election cycle. America Rising is committed to keeping all Democrats running for office accountable, and video tracking is a key tactic we use to that end,” PAC spokeswoman Amelia Chasse said in an email.

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Tracking is also becoming easier for interested amateurs, be they supporters or opponents of a candidate.

America Rising, for example, has an iPhone app dubbed “Grill” that allows the user to punch in a candidate’s name and be fed a list of difficult questions to ask a Democratic candidate.

“It’s easier and easier with the iPhone and everything else,” said Rensselaer County-based GOP Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin.

He credits the use of a tracker who in his 2010 race followed then-incumbent Democrat Tim Gordon to numerous events and talks.

While the tracker didn’t ask questions, his presence appeared to rattle Gordon, who alternately stood silently like a statue, or berated the tracker — all of which was recorded and put on YouTube along with other clips, such as one in which Gordon was, according to the video, throwing out yard signs for McLaughlin.

“He was just getting irritated,” said McLaughlin who won the race.

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This article was excerpted from The Times Union. Click here to read the full article online.