New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul speaks during a news conference the day after Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation at the New York State Capitol, in Albany, New York, U.S., August 11, 2021. REUTERS/Cindy Schultz

Ben Burke Producer

U.S.

Kathy Hochul set to become the first female governor of New York

Aug 11, 2021

Ben Burke Producer

By Ben Burke (Producer)

New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul addressed the media Wednesday for first time since Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation Tuesday, paving the way for her to become the state’s first female governor. The video above shows clips from her remarks.

Gov. Cuomo’s resignation comes after a state attorney general report found Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 women. Lt. Gov. Hochul said Wednesday there will be a clean slate when she takes over in 13 days. “No one who is named as doing anything unethical in the report will remain in my administration,” Hochul said. “Nobody will ever describe my administration as a toxic work environment.”

Cuomo has said he will stay on and work to ease Hochul into the new job. “I’m looking forward to a smooth transition, which he promised, he spoke to me about wanting to make sure that the transition to continuity is important, that I have an opportunity to meet the cabinet officials, other people as well,” Hochul said.

Also at the news conference, Hochul said she “was not aware of any of the allegations whatsoever in the report,” and distanced herself for Cuomo. “I think it’s very clear that the governor and I have not been close, physically or otherwise in terms of much time,” Hochul said. “And so I’ve been traveling the state and do not spend much time in his presence or in the presence of many in the state capital.”

Hochul served briefly in Congress representing a Buffalo-area district before her current position. Hochul shares some of Cuomo’s centrist politics, but is a stylistic contrast to the governor as someone who purposely kept a modest profile as lieutenant governor.

She’s well-liked by colleagues, who say voters shouldn’t confuse her quiet approach under Cuomo with a lack of confidence or competence. “People will soon learn that my style is to listen first, then take decisive action,” Hochul said. “I’m more prepared than anyone could possibly be for this position.”

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, (D) New York: “No one who is named as doing anything unethical in the report will remain in my administration.”

“I’m looking forward to a smooth transition, which he promised, he spoke to me about wanting to make sure that the transition to continuity is important, that I have an opportunity to meet the cabinet officials, other people as well. So they viewed it as necessary. I’m prepared to take office, as any lieutenant governor is from the very first hour you’re sworn in as lieutenant governor.”

“I was not aware of any of the allegations whatsoever in the report. The report stands on its own and I’ve been in this business long enough to know that is not the purview of the New York state governor to dictate to the New York State Assembly or to the Judiciary Committee on what actions they should take necessary with respect to anything, particularly impeachment.”

“They’ll be turnover, and that is the description from many witnesses in the attorney general’s report. I think it’s very clear that the governor and I have not been close, physically or otherwise in terms of much time. And so I’ve been traveling the state and do not spend much time in his presence or in the presence of many in the state capital.”

“I’m well aware of the circumstances in our state are frightening for people, and we will continue at this time to review closely what the CDC puts forth. But I’ll be proud to and looking forward to sharing my vision on how we address this in a matter of a couple of weeks.”

“I want people to know that currently the administration does not possess the executive powers that it had last year, at the time when I was very engaged in dealing with the COVID response and their authorities held by the administration are much more expansive than they are at this time. That being said, we are going to monitor this closely and I can assure everyone that we’ll be looking at all options. But also I believe that the key to get through this has been before our eyes for months. It’s as simple as more people getting vaccinated.”