New York Welcomes First Female Governor

After 10 years, Andrew Cuomo will step down from his position as Governor of New York. His decision comes after the report from Letitia James, New York attorney general, that Cuomo has sexually harassed 11 women, most being his current or former employees. Many politicians, including every New York congressperson, pushed for his resignation. He also received backlash after the official death count of nursing home deaths due to Covid-19 was off by 50 percent. A year ago, Cuomo’s slogan “New York tough” and his daily briefings calmed the nerves of many Americans. He was praised for being a leader during a crisis. Now, his lieutenant governor will take his place.

Kathy Hochul will be New York’s first female governor. She has been lieutenant governor since 2015 and served as a Democratic U.S. Representative in New York’s 26th congressional district from 2011 to 2013. She is a western New York native and prides herself on visiting each New York county every year. Hochul graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and graduated with a JD from Catholic University.

On her website, she notes that her beliefs are liberal by supporting a woman’s right to choose, LGBTQ+ rights, the Affordable Care Act, and tax cuts for low and middle-income individuals. She fought for a $15 minimum wage, Paid Family Leave, and to make all SUNY (State University of New York) and CUNY (City University of New York) schools tuition-free for middle-class families.

But, in 2007, as Erie County clerk, she said, “I do not support the governor’s plan to give driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.” She stated that if someone were to come to the clerk’s office and seek a license without a visa stamp on their foreign passport, she would process the application then report the person’s name to the county sheriff in a possible violation of immigration law.

Then, in 2019, she wrote an opinion piece in the Times Union about how her beliefs have changed over the years. She voiced her support for New York’s Green Light Bill, stating it as a public safety and economic benefit. While her beliefs have changed, many New Yorkers are still cautious of her. In a poll published by Marist Poll, 64 percent of New Yorkers said they have never heard of her or are hesitant on how to rate her. Only 23 percent of New Yorkers have a favorable opinion of Hochul.

So far, Hochul reports that she promises to keep New Yorkers safe amidst the Delta variant surge, that she is fully prepared to take over the Governor position, and that she will “listen first, then take decisive action.” Hochul will soon deliver an address to New Yorkers describing her vision and plans for the state.