'Son Of Harlem' Brian Benjamin Appointed Lieutenant Governor

HARLEM, NY — When Brian Benjamin left banking to pursue a life in full-time public service, he said many said he was crazy for chasing a political career. But on Thursday, the New York State Senator stood in front of his community accepting a role that he said he never expected to find himself in.

Benjamin, 44, was named New York’s Lieutenant Governor after being appointed to the post by Gov. Kathy Hochul. Benjamin, the Democrat who has championed criminal justice reform, affordable housing and other issues facing not only Harlem, but the state, will be sworn in after Labor Day, Hochul announced in a news conference on Thursday.

A special election will be held in conjunction with the general election November to fill the seat vacated by Benjamin, the governor announced.

The Rev. Al Sharpton on Thursday called Benjamin a “Son of Harlem” and Hochul said that Benjamin will partner with her as she takes over as governor after being sworn in earlier this week. For Benjamin, who finished fourth in his run for New York City comptroller, the opportunity to represent not only Harlem but the state of New York is one he admits he never saw coming.

“Now I can stand here now and say, pursue your dreams, follow your passions, believe in yourself even when no one else believes in you and surround yourself with people who support you,” Benjamin said at a news conference

“I never, in a million years, would have imagined I would be standing here as the lieutenant governor of the state of New York. But God had bigger plans for me …God has bigger plans for all of us, but we need each other to pursue our dreams.”

Benjamin said that as lieutenant governor, he will work to curb gun violence and work with Hochul to make sure that renters are protected against eviction as the coronavirus pandemic continues. Hochul had said previously that she wanted her second-in-command to be a New York City resident as she works to partner with the city to tackle the issues facing New York.

Hochul said Thursday that renters who apply and qualify for the state’s rent relief program, they will not face eviction for a year. She said that she will also change the culture at the State Capitol from acts of sexual harassment and said that state employees deserve to have an inclusive, safe working environment on a daily basis.

Hochul, whose appearance Thursday at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building in Harlem was her first in any of New York City's five boroughs since taking office, stressed the partnership that must take place if New York is to take a positive step forward. She said she looks forward to doing with Benjamin by her side.

"I believe that governing is about working together. Teamwork is the essence of effective leadership, and it is more important than ever as we confront the urgent problems facing the state," the governor said.

"My administration is going to attract the best and the brightest — people who share my values of working hard for the people of this state and who will get the job done — and that includes the newest member, Senator Brian Benjamin."

Benjamin said as he takes over, both Harlem and the state have several important fights that "we have to wage". He said the need for parents to keep their kids safe against gun violence is a priority at a time when the delta variant has caused an increase in new coronavirus cases around the country. He also said homelessness remains a massive problem in Harlem and New York City along with housing issues and other matters that he will take to the new role.

"New York State government has to work," he said. "Governor Kathy Hochul, I will do everything I can to make sure we deliver for the state of New York."

In partnering with Benjamin, Hochul said that she has gotten to know the Harlem native during his time in the Senate and aligns with his mission. Benjamin said Thursday he has a lot of faith on Hochul, who became New York’s first female governor after she replaced disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo.

Benjamin said he learned of what kind of person Hochul is in moments before she took power, which, he said, is the true reflection of a leader. As lieutenant governor, Benjamin pledged to continue to represent Harlem, a community he said that he grew up while experiencing tough times.

“(My parents) taught me to show up and work hard every day – it doesn’t matter what title you have,” Benjamin said. “Titles mean nothing when it comes down to it at the end of the day. What matters is what’s in your heart, what do you stand for? What do you believe, what are you willing to fight for?”