With Cuomo Out, Hudson Valley Dems Rally Around Hochul

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who announced his resignation on Tuesday, wasn't known for sharing the spotlight, but the Hudson Valley political figures who know soon-to-be-governor Kathy Hochul best are applauding her bona fides.

Hochul, who was elected as lieutenant governor alongside Cuomo in 2015 and 2018, will serve as the state's first female governor. She is no stranger to New York State and national politics.

Hochul's political career began in 1994 when she was elected onto the Town Board of Hamburg. She held that position until 2007, when she was appointed Erie County Clerk by then-Gov. Elliot Spitzer. She ran for the position later that year and won.

In 2011, Hochul ran in a special election to represent the 26th Congressional District, which she won. In 2012, she ran to represent the redistricted 27th Congressional District, which she won. In 2014, she was named as Cuomo's running mate for his second term.

During her time as lieutenant governor, Cuomo appointed her to lead multiple statewide task forces. She is the co-chair of the state's Heroin and Opioid Abuse Task Force, and led the "Enough is Enough" campaign to combat sexual assault on college campuses. She is also the chair of the state's 10 Regional Economic Development Councils.

"I agree with Governor Cuomo's decision to step down," Hochul said in a statement following Cuomo's announcement that he would be stepping down in two weeks time. "It is the right thing to do and in the best interest of New Yorkers. As someone who has served at all levels of government and is next in the line of succession, I am prepared to lead as New York State’s 57th Governor."

Hochul has received support in the Hudson Valley and across the state as she gets ready to take the mantle of governor from Cuomo in two weeks.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer all but ignored the scandal that brought down a once popular governor in today's statement and instead focused on Hochul's unique qualifications to lead as coronavirus infection numbers continue to climb in the region.

“For years, incoming Governor Hochul has been a welcomed presence in Westchester County," Latimer said. "She is well qualified to lead New York State in this immediate crisis. Also, for all New Yorkers, let us recognize this historic moment – that New York will for the first time in our history have a female Governor. Times have changed - as they should."

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi indicated that Hochul is the right person to help turn the page on decades of struggle for women fighting workplace harassment.

"New York State can now move forward and address the needs of the people we were elected to serve," Biaggi said in a statement supporting Hochul. "I look forward to working under Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership. Let this next chapter for New York be one of integrity, optimism, and progress.”

The non-partisan Business Council of Westchester, which has worked closely with Hochul through the Regional Economic Development Councils, said she is the right woman for the job.

"The Business Council of Westchester has enjoyed a long and successful collaborative working relationship with Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul," the group said in a statement. "We have full confidence in her abilities to lead the state and look forward to working with her and her administration. New York State still faces many economic challenges as we continue to rebound from the COVID-19 Pandemic. We stand ready to work closely with her as she continues to promote economic development, job creation and diversity initiatives in Westchester and across the State."

Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan likewise credited Hochul for her character and her fierce ability to work for municipalities while serving in state government.

"Very optimistic about the future of NY under incoming Governor Kathy Hochul's leadership," Ryan wrote in a social media post moments after Cuomo announced his resignation. "She’s the real deal - a proven public servant who understands how government works and will lead our State forward with integrity."

Activist, author and Hudson Valley resident Amy Siskind focused on the historic nature of New York getting its first ever female governor.

"So right now New York has its first woman governor and first woman state senate majority leader," Siskind wrote. "It takes us a while, but we get there."

New York State Assembly Member from Yonkers Nader Sayegh told constituents on Tuesday that the issues facing Yonkers and New York transcend politics and Hochul's historic role as governor is exactly what is needed at this moment in history.

"Given the challenges we face, we cannot lose focus on the pressing challenges facing all New Yorkers," Sayegh said. "I look forward to working with New York’s first woman Governor, Kathy Hochul."

"I know our state is in good hands with Lieutenant Governor Hochul at the helm, and I look forward to continuing to work with her," said Attorney General Letitia James.

"New York will finally have its first female governor and we could not be in better hands," said state Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs. "From assisting her mother run a transitional domestic violence shelter to helping make the property tax cap permanent, Kathy Hochul has always and relentlessly fought for the people of New York. Her experience at all levels of government – town board member, county clerk, congresswoman, and lieutenant governor, makes her uniquely well-equipped to effectively govern the State at this time. I am confident that incoming Gov. Hochul's empathy, work ethic and authentic concern for the welfare of its citizens will make her an outstanding governor for our state."

Patch editors Michael Woyton and Alex Costello contributed to this report.