Kathy Hochul

Kathy Hochul is an American politician serving as the 57th governor of the state of New York since August 24, 2021. She is the first woman to hold this position in the state’s history. Hochul has a long history of serving the public, having held numerous positions in both government and the private sector.

Hochul was born in Buffalo, New York, on August 27, 1958. She attended Syracuse University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. She continued her education at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., where she earned a Juris Doctor degree.

After completing her education, Hochul began her career with an entry-level job working for Democratic Congressman John LaFalce. Later, she worked as a legislative assistant to Senator Daniel Moynihan. In 1994, Hochul was elected as a town board member in Hamburg, New York, where she served for four years.

In 2007, Hochul was elected as the Erie County Clerk, a position she held for four years. As County Clerk, she implemented several initiatives, including a new online reservation system for DMV appointments, which significantly reduced wait times for customers.

Hochul then served as a congresswoman for New York’s 26th congressional district, from 2011 to 2013. She won her election as a Democrat in a heavily Republican district. In Congress, she worked to enact legislation aimed at improving the lives of working families, including job creation and access to affordable health care.

Hochul was elected to the position of Lieutenant Governor of New York, serving under Governor Andrew Cuomo, in November 2014. During her tenure as Lieutenant Governor, she played a leading role in several key issues, including the Buffalo Billion economic development program, which aimed to create jobs and attract new businesses to western New York.

In August 2021, Hochul was sworn in as the governor of New York following the resignation of Andrew Cuomo. In her first speech as governor, Hochul signaled that she would be focused on ending the coronavirus pandemic and rebuilding trust in state government.

Hochul has a long record of supporting women’s rights and social justice issues. As Lieutenant Governor, she was instrumental in passing New York’s Paid Family Leave law, which guarantees that workers can take time off to care for a new child or sick family member without losing their job or facing financial hardship.

Hochul also fought for women’s reproductive rights, including the passage of the Reproductive Health Act, which codified the right to abortion in New York State law. She has been a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, supporting marriage equality and transgender rights.

In conclusion, Kathy Hochul is an accomplished and dedicated public servant who has spent her entire career working to improve the lives of New Yorkers. Her election as the first female governor of New York is a historic milestone, and she has expressed her commitment to promoting equity, justice, and transparency in her administration. Hochul’s leadership and vision for the state will undoubtedly shape New York’s future for years to come.