Kathy Hochul, a Democrat from Buffalo who turns 63, was sworn as the first female governor of New York on Tuesday. She promised to change the state’s political culture and work to ensure that New Yorkers “believe in their government again.” Hochul takes over the governor’s office in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal that drove her predecessor, Andrew Cuomo, from power. She promised that “changing the culture of Albany” would be a top priority. She has now became New York state’s 57th governor in a private ceremony.
Hochul pledged to strengthen the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and speed direct aid to residents in need, all with an eye, she said, toward winning back the trust of the people of New York in their elected officials.
After a ceremonial swearing-in on Tuesday morning, Hochul made brief remarks. Asked what her greatest ambition was, she said it was to revive faith in government.
“I want people to believe in our government again. It’s important to me that people have faith – our strength comes from the faith and the confidence of the people who put us into these offices and I take that very seriously.”
She said she’s already working with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose feud with Cuomo often led to sharp, veiled criticisms.
“No blindsiding,” vowed Hochul, who said de Blasio called her on Monday to give her a heads up that moments later he would be announcing a vaccine mandate for all New York City teachers. Indicating she is considering a similar mandate for all teachers in the state, she said she would be making an announcement, possibly later on Tuesday.
“I have a chance to assemble all the stakeholders now that I am officially governor and I have the ability to work with them. I’ll also be discussing this with our leadership in the Assembly and the Senate,” Hochul said. “This is what collaboration looks like.”
