Kathy Hochul made history on August 24, 2021, when she became the first woman to serve as governor of New York. Her ascent to the state's highest office followed the resignation of her predecessor, Andrew Cuomo. A member of the Democratic Party, Hochul's career in public service spans several decades and various roles, from local government to the U.S. House of Representatives, before she ultimately took on the mantle of lieutenant governor and then
governor. Her journey reflects a steady progression through the political landscape of New York, culminating in a landmark achievement for women in leadership within the state.
Early Career and Local Government Roots
Born Kathleen Mary Courtney in Buffalo, New York, on August 27, 1958, Kathy Hochul's early life was rooted in an Irish Catholic family. She was the second of six children. Her family experienced financial struggles during her early years, even living in a trailer near a steel plant for a time. Despite these challenges, her father later headed an information technology company. Hochul graduated from Hamburg High School in 1976 and went on to Syracuse University, where she was politically active, serving as student government vice president. During her college years, she led a boycott of the student bookstore over high prices and advocated for naming the university stadium after alumnus Ernie Davis. She also lobbied for the university to divest from apartheid South Africa, a goal achieved more than five years after her graduation in November 1985. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the Maxwell School of Syracuse University in 1980 and a Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law in 1984.
After law school, Hochul initially worked for a Washington, D.C., law firm but found the work unsatisfying. She then transitioned to public service, working as legal counsel and legislative assistant for U.S. Representative John LaFalce and U.S. Senator Daniel Moynihan, as well as for the New York State Assembly. Her first elected office was on the Hamburg Town Board, where she served from January 3, 1994, to April 10, 2007. Following this, she served as deputy Erie County clerk before being appointed Erie County clerk in 2007. She was subsequently elected to a full term in 2007 and reelected in 2010, demonstrating her growing influence and support at the local level.
From Congress to Lieutenant Governor
In May 2011, Hochul successfully ran in a four-candidate special election for New York's 26th congressional district, becoming the first Democrat to represent that district in 40 years. She served as a U.S. representative from 2011 to 2013. However, her time in Congress was cut short when she was narrowly defeated for reelection in 2012 by Chris Collins following redistricting. Despite this setback, her political career continued to advance. In the 2014 New York gubernatorial election, Governor Andrew Cuomo selected Hochul as his running mate. They won the election, and Hochul was inaugurated as lieutenant governor on January 1, 2015. Cuomo and Hochul were reelected in 2018, solidifying her position as a key figure in New York state government.
Her tenure as lieutenant governor prepared her for the eventual transition to the governorship. During this period, she maintained a professional distance from Governor Cuomo, later stating, "I think it's very clear that the governor and I have not been close." This distinction became particularly relevant when Cuomo announced his resignation on August 10, 2021, effective August 24, amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Hochul acknowledged New York Attorney General Letitia James's report on Cuomo, describing the documented behavior as "repulsive and unlawful," and praised his decision to resign. This paved the way for her historic swearing-in.
Governorship and Key Policy Initiatives
Upon assuming office on August 24, 2021, Kathy Hochul immediately faced the challenges of leading New York State. She quickly began to shape her administration, appointing State Senator Brian Benjamin as lieutenant governor on August 26, 2021, who was sworn in on September 9, 2021. She also appointed Karen Persichilli Keogh as secretary to the governor and Kathryn Garcia as director of state operations. In October 2021, she endorsed Eric Adams in the New York City mayoral election. Her first full term began on January 1, 2023, after she won the 2022 election against Republican Lee Zeldin, marking the first time a woman was elected governor of New York in her own right. This election was the closest New York gubernatorial election since 1994 and the closest Democratic victory since 1982.
During her initial period as governor, Hochul addressed several pressing issues. In November 2021, she advocated for an end to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, encouraging a return to offices. She also unveiled plans to redevelop Manhattan's Pennsylvania Station and its surrounding neighborhood, proposing to reduce density in the area. In December 2021, she reinstated an indoor mask mandate in response to the spread of the Omicron variant. January 2022 saw her expand the vaccine mandate for healthcare workers to include a booster shot requirement. She also confirmed the expiration of New York's eviction moratorium on January 15, and sought more federal rent assistance, signing a letter with other governors after New York received only a fraction of its requested funds. Her administration also faced scrutiny over an agreement in March 2022 to commit $850 million in taxpayer money for a new Buffalo Bills stadium, which critics labeled as corporate welfare. This funding included a payment from the Seneca Nation of New York, whose bank accounts had been frozen due to a dispute over casino gaming fees. In April 2022, Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin resigned following federal indictment, leading Hochul to select U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado as his replacement in May 2022. Her tenure has also included a $300 million plan to rebuild infrastructure in western New York communities and a legal challenge regarding a state health department policy on involuntary detention for contagious illnesses, which a New York State Supreme Court Justice ruled unconstitutional. In late 2022, she signed the Digital Fair Repair Act into law, though with an amendment that drew criticism from independent repair analysts who argued it undermined the bill's intent.
In 2023, Hochul nominated Hector LaSalle for chief judge of the New York Court of Appeals. This nomination faced significant opposition from various Democratic groups, unions, and criminal justice advocates due to concerns about his record. Despite lobbying efforts, the Senate Judiciary Committee rejected LaSalle's nomination, and a subsequent full Senate floor vote also overwhelmingly rejected it. Hochul then nominated Rowan D. Wilson as chief judge and Caitlin Halligan as an associate judge, both of whom were confirmed by the New York Senate in April 2023. These events underscore the complexities and challenges inherent in leading a diverse and politically active state like New York.
