Who Is Kathy Hochul? New York Lt. Governor Set To Get Cuomo’s Job After Resignation

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-New York) is set to become the governor of New York after Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-New York) leaves office in two weeks following his resignation on Tuesday. She will become the first female Governor of New York.

“I agree with Governor Cuomo’s decision to step down. It is the right thing to do and in the best interest of New Yorkers. As someone who has served at all levels of government and is next in the line of succession, I am prepared to lead as New York State’s 57th Governor,” she tweeted.

I agree with Governor Cuomo's decision to step down. It is the right thing to do and in the best interest of New Yorkers.

As someone who has served at all levels of government and is next in the line of succession, I am prepared to lead as New York State’s 57th Governor.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) August 10, 2021

In order to avoid suggestions that she knew about Cuomo’s misconduct, Hochul emphasized that she and the governor “have not been close.”

“And when my term ends, nobody will ever describe my term as a toxic workplace environment,” Hochul told reporters a day after Cuomo’s resignation.

Last week, Attorney General Letitia James (D-New York) reported that the governor had sexually harassed 11 women, including employees.

Shortly after James released a report on Cuomo’s sexual harassment cases last week, Hochul issued a statement, saying that “no one is above the law.”

“The AG’s investigation has documented repulsive & unlawful behavior by the Governor towards multiple women. I believe these brave women & admire their courage coming forward,” she said. “No one is above the law.”

While still denying all the allegations regarding sexual misconduct cases, Cuomo decided to resign Tuesday.

“The best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to governing, and therefore, that’s what I’ll do, because I work for you, and doing the right thing is doing the right thing for you,” Cuomo said in his resignation announcement.

In a statement released following Cuomo’s resignation, James welcomed Hochul’s ascension.

“I thank Governor Cuomo for his contributions to our state,” James said. “The ascension of our Lieutenant Governor, Kathy Hochul, will help New York enter a new day. We must continue to build on the progress already made and improve the lives of New Yorkers in every corner of the state.”