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.”