Cuomo Out, Hochul In.

New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo has resigned from his post as the Governor of New York amid a scathing report detailing his predatory sexual behavior. The New York State Attorney General’s Office released a 168-page report detailing the case against Cuomo, President Biden asked Cuomo to step down, and so – in two weeks New York will have a new Governor.

After years of harassing women from a position of power, Cuomo steps down in shame paving the way for the first woman Governor in New York State history. In two weeks time, Kathy Hochul, who has been serving as lieutenant governor of New York since 2015 will be sworn in as the state’s new leader. 

Who is Kathy Hochul?

Firstly – her last name is pronounced “HOH-kuhl” not “HOCH-ul.” Beyond that – she is a career politician and public servant, born outside of Buffalo and raised as one of six in an Irish Catholic household. This is not the first time she’s stepped up when a politician was embarrassed for sexual misconduct. In 2011, a republican congressman named Christopher Lee, resigned after a shirtless photo of himself began to circulate the internet. According to the New York Times,  “Ms. Hochul won the ensuing special election in one of New York’s most conservative districts.”

Kathy Hochul was selected by Cuomo to be lieutenant governor to appeal to Western New York while campaigning for Governor. The New York Times described their relationship as “transactional.” Throughout her career Hochul has been recognized as a centrist Democrat with bi-partisan appeal, however she is yet to establish her platform or cabinet for her gubernatorial tenure.

An article from the BBC highlights that in 2008 Hochul opposed plan “to give driving licenses to undocumented immigrants,” which she since has expressed regret for. During her time in office, she championed protections for victims of domestic abuse. It’s unclear what Hochul’s term will hold, it would be wise to assume her administration is not going to rock the boat very much.

Hochul’s term as governor ends on January 1, 2023.