Kathy Hochul

Early life and education

Hochul was born Kathleen Courtney in Buffalo, New York, the second of the six children of John P. "Jack" Courtney, then a college student and clerical worker, and Patricia Ann "Pat" (Rochford) Courtney, a homemaker. The family struggled financially during Hochul's early years and for a time lived in a trailer near a steel plant. By the time Hochul was in college, however, her father was working for the information technology company he later headed. Her family is Irish Catholic.

Hochul graduated from Hamburg High School in 1976. She was politically active during her college years at Syracuse University, becoming a student government vice president. She led a boycott of the student bookstore over high prices and an unsuccessful effort to name the university stadium after alumnus Ernie Davis, a star running back who died of cancer before he could join the National Football League. In the spring of 1979, the student newspaper The Daily Orange awarded her an "A", citing the campus changes as evidence for the grade. She received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in political science from the Maxwell School of Syracuse University in 1980 and a Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C., in 1984.

Early career

After graduation from law school, Hochul began working for a Washington, D.C., law firm, but she found the work unsatisfying. She then worked as legal counsel and legislative assistant to U.S. Representative John LaFalce and U.S. Senator Daniel Moynihan, and also for the New York State Assembly, before seeking elected office.

Hochul became involved in local issues as a supporter of small businesses facing competition from Walmart stores and, in the process, caught the attention of local Democratic leaders. On January 3, 1994, the Hamburg Town Board voted to appoint her to the vacant seat on the board caused by Patrick H. Hoak's resignation to become town supervisor. She was elected to a full term in November 1994, on the Democratic and Conservative lines, and was reelected in 1998, 2002, and 2006. She resigned on April 10, 2007, and was succeeded by former state assemblymember Richard A. Smith. While on the board, she led efforts to remove toll booths from parts of the New York State Thruway system.

In May 2003, Erie County Clerk David Swarts appointed Hochul as his deputy. Governor Eliot Spitzer named Swarts to his administration in January 2007 and appointed Hochul to succeed Swarts as county clerk in April 2007. In an intervention that raised her statewide profile, Hochul opposed Spitzer's proposal to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses without producing Social Security cards. She said that if the proposal went into effect, she would seek to have any such applicants arrested. On November 6, 2007, Hochul was elected to fill the remainder of Swarts's term.

In 2010, New York Democrats proposed mandating that all New York drivers obtain new license plates. The proposal was expected to bring the state government $129 million in revenue. Hochul opposed the proposal, and it was withdrawn.

In November 2010, Hochul ran for reelection on four ballot lines (Democratic, Conservative, Independence, and Working Families), defeating Republican Clifton Bergfeld with 80% of the vote.

After Hochul's departure as county clerk, newly elected County Clerk Chris Jacobs discovered a backlog of mail and later said that $792,571 in checks were found in it.

U.S. House of Representatives (2011–2013)

Elections

2011 special

Main article: 2011 New York's 26th congressional district special election

Hochul ran in the May 24, 2011, special election to fill the seat in New York's 26th congressional district left vacant by the resignation of Chris Lee. She was the Democratic Party and Working Families Party nominee. Hochul's residence in Hamburg, just outside the 26th district, became an issue during her campaign, though it did not disqualify her from seeking the seat. One month after her victory, she moved into the district.

The Republican and Conservative Party nominee, State Assemblymember Jane Corwin, was at first strongly favored to win in the Republican-leaning district, which had sent a Republican to Congress for the previous four decades. A late April poll had Corwin leading Hochul by 36% to 31%; Tea Party candidate Jack Davis trailed at 23%. An early May poll gave Hochul a lead of 35% to 31%, and shortly thereafter the nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report called the race a toss-up. Additional polling in the days immediately before the election had Hochul leading by four- and six-point margins.

A Washington Post article noted that in the face of a possible Hochul victory, there was already a "full blown spin war" about the meaning of the result. The article said that Democrats viewed the close race as a result of Republicans' budget proposal The Path to Prosperity, and, in particular, their proposal for Medicare reform. Republicans viewed it as the result of Davis's third-party candidacy.

The campaign featured a number of negative television ads, with FactCheck accusing both sides of "taking liberties with the facts". In particular, FactCheck criticized the Democrats' ads for claiming that Corwin would "essentially end Medicare", even though the plan left Medicare intact for current beneficiaries. The organization also faulted the Republicans for ads portraying Hochul as a puppet of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and for claiming that Hochul planned to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Hochul was endorsed by EMILY's List, a political action committee that supports Democratic women candidates who support abortion rights. She was the fifth largest recipient of EMILY's List funds in 2011, receiving more than $27,000 in bundled donations. The Democrat and Chronicle endorsed Hochul "for her tenacity and independence", while The Buffalo News endorsed her for her positions on preserving Medicare and her record of streamlining government.

Hochul defeated Corwin 47% to 42%, with Davis receiving 9% and Green Party candidate Ian Murphy 1%.

2012

Before the 2012 election, Hochul's district was renumbered the 27th during the redistricting process. The district was redrawn in a manner that caused it to be more heavily Republican. Hochul was endorsed by the NRA Political Victory Fund. She lost to Republican Chris Collins, 51% to 49%.

Tenure

In Hochul's first few weeks in office, she co-sponsored bills with Brian Higgins to streamline the passport acquisition process. She also met with then-President Barack Obama about the economy and job creation and introduced a motion to restore the Republican cuts to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. She looked for ways to reduce the federal budget deficit and expressed support for reducing Medicaid spending as long as the reductions would not be achieved in the form of block grants offered to states, as proposed in the Republican budget blueprint. She also spoke with Obama about ending tax breaks for oil companies and protecting small businesses.

While campaigning for Congress, Hochul called herself an "independent Democrat". In an interview with the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, she cited as examples of her independence her opposition to then-Governor Eliot Spitzer's driver's license program for undocumented immigrants and her opposition to then-Governor David Paterson's 2010 proposal to raise revenue by requiring all vehicle owners to buy new license plates.

Hochul was one of 17 Democrats to join Republicans in supporting a resolution finding United States Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress relating to the ATF gunwalking scandal, a vote on which the NRA, which supported the resolution, announced it would be scoring lawmakers. Later in 2012, Hochul "trumpeted" her endorsement by the NRA and noted that she was just one of two New York Democrats to receive its support.

Committee assignments

• Committee on Armed Services
• Committee on Homeland Security
  • Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
  • Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications

Lieutenant governor of New York (2015–2021)

Elections

2014

In 2014, Robert Duffy announced that he would not run for reelection as lieutenant governor. Incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo was running for a second term. After Duffy's announcement, Cuomo named Hochul—who had been working as a government relations executive for M&T Bank—as his choice for lieutenant governor. On May 22, 2014, the delegates to the state Democratic convention formally endorsed Hochul for lieutenant governor.

In September, Cuomo and Hochul won their Democratic primary elections, with Hochul defeating Timothy Wu. They were also the Working Families Party nominees. (In New York, candidates for governor and lieutenant governor are nominated separately, but run as a ticket in the general election.) In November, the Cuomo/Hochul ticket won the general election. Hochul was sworn in as lieutenant governor on January 1, 2015.

2018

In the 2018 Democratic primary for lieutenant governor of New York, Hochul defeated Jumaane Williams, a member of the New York City Council, 53.3%–46.7%. In the November 6 general election, the Cuomo-Hochul ticket defeated the Republican ticket of Marc Molinaro and Julie Killian, 59.6%–36.2%.

Tenure

Cuomo tasked Hochul with chairing the 10 regional economic development councils that were the centerpiece of his economic development plan. He also appointed her to chair the Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Abuse and Addiction. In this capacity, she convened eight outreach sessions across New York State to hear from experts and community members in search of answers to the heroin crisis and works to develop a comprehensive strategy for New York.

Hochul spearheaded Cuomo's "Enough is Enough" campaign to combat sexual assault on college campuses beginning in 2015, hosting and attending more than 25 events. In March 2016, Cuomo named her to the New York State Women's Suffrage 100th Anniversary Commemoration Commission.

In 2018, Hochul supported legislation to provide driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants, which she had opposed as Erie County Clerk in 2007. While Hochul had said in 2007 that she would seek to have any such applicants arrested if the proposal was implemented, in 2018 she said circumstances had changed.

On May 30, 2018, State Senate Democrats hoped to force a vote on an abortion rights bill known as the Reproductive Health Act. Hochul was prepared to cast a tie-breaking vote on a hostile amendment; with one Republican senator away from Albany on military duty, the Senate Republican Conference and the Senate Democratic conference each had 31 members in the chamber. But Senate Republicans "abruptly shut down business and pulled all the bills for the day" when Hochul entered the Senate chamber. She called the GOP's actions "reprehensible" and "cowardly", adding, "The governor and I are offended by the actions taken here today in the Senate."

Hochul presided over the Senate chamber on June 5, 2018, when Senate Republicans called for the override of Cuomo's veto of a bill relating to full-day kindergarten classes. The override passed by a large margin, and was the first veto override to occur during Cuomo's gubernatorial tenure.

At a July 2018 rally with Planned Parenthood, Hochul called upon the Republican-led State Senate to reconvene in Albany to pass the Reproductive Health Act. She asserted that the potential confirmation of then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh made this necessary. The Act was reintroduced in January 2019 and passed that month with wide margins in the state House and Senate.

Governor of New York (2021–present)

2021 swearing-in

In a press briefing on August 10, 2021, Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation as governor, effective August 24. Cuomo was accused of multiple instances of sexual misconduct. Hochul said that New York attorney general Letitia James's report on Cuomo documented "repulsive and unlawful behavior" and praised his decision to resign. Of her time as lieutenant governor and relationship with Cuomo, Hochul has said: "I think it's very clear that the governor and I have not been close."

Hochul was sworn in as governor at 12:00 AM Eastern Time (ET) on August 24 by New York Chief Judge Janet DiFiore in a private ceremony. A public ceremonial event was held later that morning at the State Capitol's Red Room. Hochul is the state's first female governor. She is also the first New York governor from outside New York City and its immediate suburbs since 1932 (when Franklin Delano Roosevelt left office). Hochul also became the first governor from north of Hyde Park since Nathan L. Miller in 1922, in addition to being the first governor from Western New York since Horace White in 1910 and the first governor from Buffalo since Grover Cleveland in 1885. On August 12, Hochul confirmed that she planned to run for a full term as governor in 2022. She was the first Democrat to announce a 2022 gubernatorial candidacy after Cuomo said he would resign.

2022 election

On February 17, 2022, the New York State Democratic Convention endorsed Hochul for governor. As of that month, she had raised $21 million in campaign funds. Hochul won a full term in office, defeating Republican nominee Lee Zeldin in the closest New York gubernatorial election since 1994 and the closest Democratic victory since 1982. Hochul's election marked the first time a woman was elected governor of New York.

Tenure

In August 2021, The Daily Beast and The Buffalo News reported on a potential conflict of interest between Hochul's role as governor and the high-level executive position held by her husband, William Hochul, at Delaware North, a Buffalo-based casino and hospitality company. Delaware North has stated that William Hochul will be prohibited from working on any matter that involves state business, oversight, or regulation. A spokesman for Kathy Hochul has said that she had a recusal process as lieutenant governor and would maintain that process as governor.

On August 26, 2021, Hochul appointed State Senator Brian Benjamin to the position of lieutenant governor of New York. Benjamin was sworn in on September 9, 2021. Hochul also appointed Karen Persichilli Keogh to be secretary to the governor and Kathryn Garcia to be director of state operations. In October 2021 Houchul endorsed Eric Adams in the 2021 New York City mayoral election.

In November 2021, Hochul pushed to end remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic and to return workers to offices. That same month, Hochul offered her plans to redevelop Manhattan's Pennsylvania Station and the surrounding neighborhood. In her plans, she called for reducing density in the area.

In December 2021, Hochul announced the reinstatement of an indoor mask mandate amid the spread of the Omicron variant.

In January 2022, she expanded an existing vaccine mandate for healthcare workers to include a booster shot requirement. Also in January 2022, Hochul confirmed that New York's eviction moratorium would expire on January 15. She announced that she would sign on to a letter with other governors to the federal government asking for more rent assistance, after New York received only $27.2 million of its nearly $1 billion request. Tenant advocates and other politicians have pushed her and state lawmakers to pass the good cause eviction bill, which would give tenants the right to a lease renewal in most cases, cap rent increases, and require landlords to obtain a judge's order to evict tenants.

In March 2022, Hochul reached an agreement with the Buffalo Bills to have taxpayers pay $850 million for the construction of a new stadium, as well as commit to maintain and repair the stadium. It was set to be the largest taxpayer contribution ever for a National Football League facility. The agreement was released four days before the state budget was due to be passed, making it hard for lawmakers to scrutinize it. Critics of the agreement characterized it as corporate welfare. Part of the funding for the stadium came from a payment from the Seneca Nation of New York, whose bank accounts had been recently frozen as part of a long-running dispute between the Seneca Nation and the State of New York over the Seneca Nation's refusal to pay certain fees related to casino gaming despite being ordered to do so by multiple judicial bodies.

On April 12, 2022, Brian Benjamin resigned as lieutenant governor after having been indicted earlier that day on federal charges of bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and falsification of records. The crimes of which Benjamin is accused were allegedly committed during his State Senate tenure. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

On May 3, 2022, Hochul selected U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado to serve as lieutenant governor of New York. Delgado was sworn in on May 25.

On June 22, 2022, Hochul announced a $300 million plan to rebuild infrastructure in western New York communities with public and private funding.

In 2022, a citizens' group called Uniting NYS and a group of state legislators sued Hochul in the New York State Supreme Court in George M. Borrello et al. v. Kathleen C. Hochul et al. to prevent implementation of a recently created state department of health policy enabling health practitioners to refer even asymptomatic patients suspected of having been exposed to a contagious illness for possible involuntary detention backed by law enforcement, with the option of holding detainees incommunicado. The policy had been created without consulting the state legislature and did not require an emergency to be implemented. New York Supreme Court Justice Ronald Ploetz ruled against Hochul on the grounds of unconstitutionality under the separation of powers doctrine of both the state and federal constitutions, as well as on the grounds that the policy was cruel and lacked due process. The New York state attorney general and Hochul are filing an appeal to retain the regulations, and the appeal is being challenged.

In late 2022, Hochul delayed the signing of the Digital Fair Repair Act, a bill that received rare bipartisan support. The delay was allegedly due to major equipment manufacturers' lobbying efforts. On December 28, 2022, Hochul signed the Digital Fair Repair Act (Senate bill 4104-A) into law, but not before adding an amendment that equipment manufacturers "may provide assemblies of parts rather than individual components". Independent repair analysts such as Louis Rossmann have claimed these amendments undermine the bill's purpose, and allege codification into law of "unethical practices".

First full term

Hochul was inaugurated on January 1, 2023.

In 2023, Hochul nominated Hector LaSalle for the vacant position of chief judge of the New York Court of Appeals. LaSalle's nomination drew opposition from a wide variety of Democratic groups and constituencies, including numerous unions and trade groups, criminal justice advocates, elected officeholders, and local party affiliates, who raised concerns about his track record on issues relating to abortion, criminal justice, corporate interests, and the environment. Many also suggested that he would do little to stem, or could even accelerate, the Court of Appeals's rightward drift under the previous chief judge, Janet DiFiore. Despite an extensive lobbying campaign by Hochul's allies, including support from U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the Senate Judiciary Committee rejected LaSalle's nomination by a 10–9 vote. Hochul subsequently sued to demand a full floor vote. Democratic leadership then held a full Senate floor vote, which overwhelmingly rejected LaSalle's nomination. Hochul proceeded to nominate associate judge Rowan D. Wilson as chief judge and Caitlin Halligan as the replacement associate judge for Wilson. The New York Senate confirmed the nominations on April 19, 2023.

Hochul has employed consulting firms Deloitte and Boston Consulting Group in preparing her State of the State address, an arrangement that The New York Times in April 2023 called "unusual, and possibly novel". In December 2023, Hochul vetoed legislation to ban non-compete agreements. Business interests lobbied her to veto it while labor supported it, arguing that non-compete agreements harm workers' interests.

In February 2024, during the Israeli invasion of Gaza, Hochul was the keynote speaker at a United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York event. During her speech, she made remarks implying that Israel had a right to destroy Gaza in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel: "If Canada someday ever attacked Buffalo, I'm sorry, my friends, there would be no Canada the next day." Following angry responses from a wide range of parties—including public officials and the Buffalo chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace—Hochul apologized for her "inappropriate analogy".

In March 2024, Hochul instituted a policy in coordination with Eric Adams to deploy 750 National Guard soldiers to the NYC subway system and empower them to conduct random bag checks on subway-goers. She also put forth legislation to allow judges to ban criminals from riding the subway. In May 2024, Hochul was criticized for saying at a business conference that minority children growing up in the Bronx "don't even know what the word 'computer' is." She later apologized, saying she misspoke and regretted her remark.

In June 2024, Hochul indefinitely halted implementation of a congestion pricing plan in the most congested parts of Manhattan just weeks before it was to go into effect. The plan was approved in 2019 and was expected to bring in $1 billion in revenue per year, making it the MTA's largest source of funding. At the time of the cancellation, the MTA had already purchased $500 million for equipment needed for congestion pricing and earmarked $15 billion for projects it expected to fund with the revenue. Hochul proposed raising the city's payroll tax for business owners to cover the lost revenue from the cancellation of the congestion pricing, which New York lawmakers declined to consider. Her decision received widespread backlash, especially from state lawmakers, business leaders, and climate activists. Hochul defended her sudden decision to block the congestion pricing plan based in part on conversations with New Yorkers, particularly from a Manhattan diner, and claimed that the plan would "suck the vitality out of this city when we’re still fighting for our comeback". Lawmakers said her plan to raise payroll taxes to cover the lost revenue ran contrary to her reason for halting the program, and that the sudden tax hike would incapacitate the city's post-COVID-19 economic recovery. Democratic Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris condemned how the program was derailed "at the last possible moment" before giving lawmakers less than 48 hours to create an alternative funding plan, calling it "irresponsible" and "inconsistent with principles of good governance". Senator Zellnor Myrie called it "incomprehensible" that Hochul claimed to care about cost of living while proposing a tax hike. In November 2024, Hochul revived the congestion pricing plan with the charge for most passenger vehicles reduced from $15 to $9; it was implemented on January 5, 2025.

In June 2024, Hochul proposed banning face masks on the New York City Subway in response to groups of protesters she said were conducting antisemitic acts and confronting people while covering their faces. Organizations such as the New York Civil Liberties Union criticized the proposal as a means to target protesters who hide their identities to avoid legal or professional repercussions, saying it would be selectively used to "arrest, doxx, surveil, and silence people of color and protesters the police disagree with".

In July 2024, Hochul said she intends to run for reelection as governor in 2026.

In September 2024, Hochul signed The Retail Worker Safety Act. In December 2024, Hochul vetoed a bill sponsored by Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. that would speed up the licensing of three new casinos in Queens and signed a law capping out-of-pocket costs for EpiPens at $100 yearly.

In January 2025, Hochul announced a proposal to provide free tuition for specific associate degree programs at State and City University of New York schools. In February 2025, Hochul refused an extradition request from Louisiana for a New York doctor. The doctor was indicted in Louisiana after mailing abortion pills to a woman in Louisiana, who allegedly forced her pregnant minor daughter to take them. In 2025, Hochul directed CUNY to take down a job listing for a Palestinian studies teaching position at Hunter College. In December 2025, Ontario premier Doug Ford and Hochul signed a memorandum of understanding which makes the New York Power Authority and Ontario Power Generation work together on advancing nuclear energy technology.

Hochul did not endorse anyone in the 2025 New York City Democratic mayoral primary. On September 14, 2025, she endorsed Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani in the general election. On January 8, 2026, Mamdani and Hochul announced a child care plan to increase spending by $1.7 billion to provide universal pre-kindergarten statewide, provide universal 3K care in New York City, create a free childcare program for two-year-olds in New York City, and expand childcare subsidies.

Political positions

Energy

During her 2011 congressional campaign, Hochul favored offering incentives to develop alternative energy.

In June 2011, Hochul opposed legislation that would cut funding for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) by 44%, on the grounds that the CFTC curbs speculation in oil and the resulting layoffs of CFTC personnel would "make it easier for Big Oil companies and speculators to take advantage of ... consumers".

Fiscal policy

While running for Congress in 2011, Hochul supported raising taxes on those making more than $500,000 per year. She acknowledged during her campaign that substantial cuts must be made in the federal budget, and said she would consider cuts in all entitlement programs. But she expressed opposition to the Republican plan that would turn Medicare into a voucher system, saying it "would end Medicare as we know it". She said money could be saved in the Medicare program by eliminating waste and purchasing prescription drugs in bulk, and that the creation of more jobs would alleviate Medicare and Social Security budget shortfalls due to increased collections of payroll taxes.

As a member of Congress, Hochul voted for a balanced budget amendment, which she called "a bipartisan solution".

In July 2023, in response to a statewide workforce shortage, Governor Hochul waived exam application fees for all New York State civil service exams through the end of 2025 to make it easier to join the state workforce.

Health care

Hochul expressed support for the Affordable Care Act passed by the 111th Congress and said during her 2011 campaign that she would not vote to repeal it. In response to a constituent's question during a town hall meeting in February 2012, she was booed for saying that the federal government was "not looking to the Constitution" under the Obama administration requirement that employers provide their workers with insurance coverage for birth control. A spokesman later said she had misspoken, but did not clarify her answer.

Hochul has said she is pro-choice and called the overturning of Roe v. Wade a "grave injustice".

Immigration

In 2023, Hochul advocated that the federal government expedite work permits to migrants to address a surge of immigration to New York, writing to President Joe Biden, "For me, the answer to these two crises—a humanitarian crisis and our workforce crisis—is so crystal clear and common sense. Let them get the work authorizations; let them work; legally, let them work."

On February 12, 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the Department of Justice was suing Hochul and other New York officials, such as Letitia James, over their handling of immigration issues.

Trade

On September 17, 2011, Robert J. McCarthy noted that Hochul and her election opponent Jack Davis both opposed free trade. "We saw what happened with NAFTA; the promises never materialized", Hochul said of the North American Free Trade Agreement. "If I have to stand up to my own party on this, I'm willing to do so." She opposed new free trade agreements then under consideration, saying, "We don't need to look any further than Western New York to see that these policies do not work." She believes that free trade agreements such as NAFTA and CAFTA have suppressed U.S. wages and benefits and caused job loss in the United States.

Hochul has vocally opposed tariffs imposed during Donald Trump's second term, especially those directed at Canada. She said the tariffs amount to a 21% tax on imported goods and cost New York families $4,200 a year while reducing Canadian tourism by 400,000 visitors from 2024 to 2025.{{cite news|title=Tariffs act as 21% tax, cost NY families $4,200 per year, says Hochul

Personal life

Hochul is married to William J. Hochul Jr., the former United States Attorney for the Western District of New York,

Hochul is a founder of Kathleen Mary House, a transitional home for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. She has served on the organization's board. She also co-founded the Village Action Coalition, and, as of 2011, was a member of the board of trustees of Immaculata Academy in Hamburg, New York.

In 2024, Hochul was diagnosed with a basal-cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer, on her nose. She underwent surgery to remove it in the same year.

Electoral history

Lieutenant Governor of New York

|reg. electors = 12,124,242

References

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58. Doherty, Erin. (August 12, 2021). "Hochul to run for New York governor in 2022 after serving out Cuomo's term". [[Axios (website).
59. Clark, Dan. (February 18, 2022). "Convention officially chooses Hochul as Democratic Party's designated nominee for governor".
60. Barkan, Ross. (June 29, 2022). "Does Lee Zeldin Stand a Chance Against Kathy Hochul?".
61. (November 9, 2022). "Kathy Hochul ekes out a victory in the closest governor's race in decades".
62. "Interactive: How New Yorkers voted in the 2022 election for governor".
63. (November 9, 2022). "2022 New York governor's race: Kathy Hochul projected winner over Lee Zeldin".
64. Bredderman, William. (August 11, 2021). "NY's New Guv Is Staring at a Massive Conflict of Interest". The Daily Beast.
65. Watson, Stephen P.. (August 11, 2021). "Kathy Hochul's husband will stay at Delaware North despite potential conflict of interest". Buffalo News.
66. (August 26, 2021). "Gov. Kathy Hochul officially names her NY lieutenant governor".
67. Hogan, Bernadette. (September 9, 2021). "Brian Benjamin sworn in to replace Hochul as NY's lieutenant governor".
68. Gartland, Michael. (September 9, 2021). "Brian Benjamin sworn in as N.Y. lieutenant governor but questions loom about wedding, stock".
69. (November 8, 2021). "How Karen Persichilli Keogh became secretary to the governor".
70. (2021-10-29). "Gov. Hochul, Sen. Schumer shower love on Eric Adams ahead of NYC mayoral election".
71. (November 11, 2021). "Gov. Hochul urges NYC employers to bring workers back to the office". [[ABC News (United States).
72. "Hochul seeks 'wow factor' in her vision for Penn Station".
73. (2021). "Governor Unveils Plan to Fix—and Rename—NYC's Penn Station".
74. (December 10, 2021). "New York Gov. Kathy Hochul imposes statewide mask mandate amid spread of omicron Covid variant".
75. (January 7, 2022). "NY to Require Booster Shots for Health Care Workers; No Test-Out Option".
76. (January 11, 2022). "Hochul confirms eviction moratorium concluding this weekend".
77. Ferré-Sadurní, Luis. (March 28, 2022). "Buffalo Bills Strike Deal for Taxpayer-Funded $1.4 Billion Stadium". The New York Times.
78. Stephen T. Watson. (March 28, 2022). "Here is the cost breakdown for new Bills stadium".
79. (March 30, 2022). "Seneca Nation speaks out on Hochul's plan to use casino compact money for new Bills stadium".
80. (January 13, 2022). "Seneca Nation announces settlement of longtime casino revenue dispute with NYS".
81. (January 13, 2022). "Seneca Nation settles multi-million dollar casino dispute with state".
82. (April 12, 2022). "NY lieutenant governor resigns after arrest in federal probe".
83. (April 12, 2022). "Lt. Gov. Benjamin Resigns Following Campaign Finance Indictment". The New York Times.
84. Moghe, Sonia. (April 12, 2022). "NY lieutenant governor indicted on multiple charges".
85. (April 12, 2022). "NY lieutenant governor arrested on bribery charges".
86. (April 12, 2022). "NY lieutenant governor Benjamin pleads not guilty to bribery, related charges". Reuters.
87. DeLine, Jamie. (May 4, 2022). "Congressman Antonio Delgado Chosen to Be Next Lieutenant Governor". [[WTEN]].
88. Hochul, Kathy. (May 3, 2022). "Governor Hochul Announces Appointment of Representative Antonio Delgado as Lieutenant Governor". [[Governor of New York]].
89. Smith, Lindsey. (May 25, 2022). "Rep. Antonio Delgado sworn in as NY's lieutenant governor".
90. (June 2, 2022). "WNY to receive $300 million to help disadvantaged neighborhoods".
91. "Borrello et al v. Hochul et al".
92. "Judge Rules Proposed Isolation Rules Are Unconstitutional".
93. "Appeal filed in Borrello-led case".
94. Purdy, Kevin. (December 19, 2022). "Lobbyists have held up nation's first right-to-repair bill in New York".
95. Signed bill S4104-A by Governor Hochul with amendment [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FlHtbaRWAAEdwdv?format=jpg&name=large Image of Signed Bill]
96. (December 28, 2022). "Governor Hochul SABOTAGES NY right to repair bill, right on schedule".
97. (January 1, 2023). "At Inauguration, Hochul Vows to Make New York Safer and More Affordable". The New York Times.
98. (January 17, 2023). "Ahead of crucial hearing, Hochul pitches LaSalle".
99. (January 18, 2023). "LaSalle Is Rejected by New York Senate Panel in a 10-9 Vote". The New York Times.
100. (February 15, 2023). "State Senate Rejects Nominee for Chief Judge in Defeat for Hochul". The New York Times.
101. "Caitlin Halligan confirmed for New York's top court".
102. (April 18, 2023). "Rowan Wilson confirmed as New York's first African American chief judge".
103. (April 15, 2023). "Hochul Paid $2 Million for Outside Help on State of the State Speeches". The New York Times.
104. Solomon, Joshua. (2023-12-23). "Hochul vetoes noncompete ban that was opposed by business sector".
105. Ferré-Sadurní, Luis. (2023-12-22). "Hochul Vetoes Ban on Noncompete Agreements in New York". The New York Times.
106. [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/16/nyregion/kathy-hochul-israel-gaza-canada-comments.html "Hochul Apologizes After Implying Israel Has a Right to Destroy Gaza: In remarks made at a Jewish philanthropy event, Gov. Kathy Hochul said that if Canada attacked the United States as Hamas did Israel, 'there would be no Canada the next day',"] February 16, 2024, ''[[The New York Times]],'' February 16, 2024
107. "New York governor apologizes for implying it is 'Israel's right' to destroy Gaza". Reuters.
108. [https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/17/politics/kathy-hochul-canada-hamas-israel/index.html " New York Gov. Kathy Hochul apologizes for using Canada-Hamas analogy in defending Israel,"] February 17, 2024, [[Cable News Network. CNN]], retrieved February 19m 2024
109. "Gov. Kathy Hochul sending National Guard members to New York City subways to combat ongoing crime". NBC.
110. "Hochul deploys National Guard troops to New York City subway amid rising crime numbers". CBS.
111. (2024-05-07). "New York governor regrets saying Black kids in the Bronx don't know what a computer is".
112. Ashford, Grace. (2024-05-07). "Hochul Regrets Saying Some 'Black Kids' Don't Know the Word 'Computer'". The New York Times.
113. Ashford, Grace. (2024-06-05). "Hochul Halts Congestion Pricing in a Stunning 11th-Hour Shift". The New York Times.
114. Stack, Liam. (2024-06-05). "What Happens Now That Congestion Pricing Has Been Halted". The New York Times.
115. (June 6, 2024). "NY Lawmakers Weigh Business Tax Hike After Hochul Toll Reversal". Bloomberg.
116. Garber, Nick. (June 6, 2024). "Hochul's business tax proposal falters in Albany after congestion pricing pause".
117. Dewitt, Karen. (June 6, 2024). "Backlash to Hochul's decision to halt congestion pricing delays the end of NY legislative session". [[North Country Public Radio]].
118. David, Greg. (June 5, 2024). "Business Leaders 'Furious' at Hochul Reversal on Manhattan Congestion Charge". [[THe City (website).
119. Bittle, Jake. (June 5, 2024). "Caving on climate: Kathy Hochul axes congestion pricing in New York". [[Grist (magazine).
120. (2024-06-08). "New York governor defends blocking plan that would toll Manhattan drivers to pay for subway repairs".
121. (2024-06-06). "New York governor pushes for tax increase after nixing toll program in Manhattan".
122. "New York City congestion pricing plan returns with new reduced tolls".
123. (2024-06-13). "Gov. Hochul considering a face mask ban on New York City subways, citing antisemitic acts".
124. Parsnow, Luke. (2024-07-02). "Hochul says she's running for another term as New York governor in 2026".
125. Goodstein, Steven. (March 7, 2025). "U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres reintroduces BODEGA Act".
126. Guglielmo, Kristen. (December 5, 2024). "Hochul vetoes casino license legislation".
127. Freidhoff, Connor. (December 12, 2024). "EpiPen out-of-pocket costs capped at $100 yearly in NYS thanks to new law".
128. Izaguirre, Anthony. (2025-01-14). "Hochul to announce free tuition plan at city and state colleges".
129. (13 February 2025). "New York governor rejects Louisiana extradition request for doctor accused of mailing abortion pills".
130. (February 27, 2025). "CUNY Removes Palestinian Studies Job Listing on Hochul's Orders". [[The New York Times]].
131. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ford-hochul-buffalo-newser-9.7022770
132. (2025-09-14). "Kathy Hochul: Why I Am Endorsing Zohran Mamdani".
133. Gould, Jessica. (2026-01-08). "Gov. Hochul, Mayor Mamdani announce push for free child care for NYC 2-year-olds".
134. Featherstone, Liza. (2026-01-10). "Zohran Mamdani Is Already Winning on Childcare".
135. "Hochul Splits with Party on Balanced Budget Amendment". WGRZ.
136. Reisman, Nick. (2023-07-03). "How New York wants to make it easier to join state workforce".
137. Shahi, Priya. (2023-07-02). "New York state Civil Service exam fees waived through 2025".
138. (2023-07-02). "New York waives civil service exam fees through 2025".
139. "Hochul Calls Court Decision a 'Grave Injustice,' Says New Yorkers' Right to Abortion is Protected".
140. (August 24, 2023). "'Let them work': Hochul pressures Biden over New York's migrant surge".
141. (February 12, 2025). "Pam Bondi Announces Lawsuit Against New York Over Immigration—'You're Next'". [[Newsweek]].
142. McCarthy, Robert J.. (September 17, 2011). "Hochul, in visit with Davis, voices anti-free trade stance". The Buffalo News. buffalonews.com.
143. Lisa, Kate. (March 4, 2025). "Hochul warns Trump's tariffs, spending cuts could have ripple effect on N.Y.". Spectrum News. spectrumlocalnews.com.
144. Churchill, Chris. (June 28, 2022). "Churchill: 'Repulsive' abortion ruling is a win for Hochul's church". [[Times Union (Albany)]].
145. Wilkinson, Joseph. (2024-09-12). "Gov. Hochul announces skin cancer diagnosis, surgical procedure".
146. Gainer, Alice. (September 13, 2024). "Gov. Kathy Hochul has basal cell carcinoma removed from nose. What to know about the common skin cancer - CBS New York".
147. "New York congressional election results, 2012".
148. "2014 Democratic primary results".
149. "2018 Democratic primary results".
150. (May 4, 2022). "Certification for the June 28, 2022 Primary Election". New York State Board of Elections.
151. "2022 General Election Governor and Lt. Governor Results".
152. Hernandez, Raymond. (May 24, 2011). "As Contested District Votes, a Candidate Can't". The New York Times.
153. "2010 Designating Petitions Filed". Erie County, NY Board of Elections.
154. Editorial board. (May 15, 2011). "Hochul for Congress". [[Buffalo News]].
155. Spina, Matthew. (November 3, 2010). "Hochul Re-elected County Clerk". [[The Buffalo News]].
156. Miles, Joyce. (May 20, 2011). "Kathy Hochul defines herself 26th District Special Election". Lockport Union-Sun & Journal.
157. Craig, Gary. (March 19, 2011). "Democrats choose Kathy Hochul to run in 26th". [[Democrat and Chronicle]].
158. Terreri, Jill. (May 17, 2011). "Candidates in 26th District differ on more than Medicare". Democrat and Chronicle.
159. (May 13, 2003). "EC Clerk appoints top deputy". Buffalo Business First.
160. Zremski, Jerry. (June 17, 2011). "Hochul sees first legislation defeated". The Buffalo News.
161. Isenstadt, Alex. (May 9, 2011). "Dems take fresh aim at N.Y.-26". Politico.
162. Buffalo News staff reporter. (November 9, 1994). "Jann retakes post as Marilla Supervisor". The Buffalo News.
163. Staba, David. (June 1, 2005). "How Should You Pay a Higher Toll? How About Coin by Coin by Coin?". The New York Times.
164. "The Kathleen Mary House...A place of new beginnings". The Kathleen Mary House.
165. Miller, Sean J.. (March 19, 2011). "Dems tap Hochul for N.Y. special election". [[The Hill (newspaper).
166. Editorial board. (May 14, 2011). "Hochul is best for sprawling 26th Congressional District". Democrat and Chronicle.
167. Sharon Osorio. (October 15, 2007). "Driver's License Debate Continues". WKBW News 7.
168. (July 12, 2011). "Rep. Kathy Hochul moves into her district". Democrat and Chronicle.
169. Hernandez, Raymond. (May 29, 2011). "Her Inheritance: An Eagerness to Serve". [[New York Times]].
170. (May 22, 2011). "Hochul leads Corwin by 6". Public Policy Polling.
171. McCarthy, Robert J.. (December 7, 2010). "Hochul's profile going high, but why?". The Buffalo News.
172. Weiner, Rachel. (April 29, 2011). "Poll: A real race in New York special election". The Washington Post.
173. (March 23, 2021). "Kathy Hochul's political roots in Syracuse: protests, Ernie Davis and a fight over the dome". [[The Post-Standard]].
174. (May 16, 2011). "New York 26: Move to Toss-Up/Tilt Democratic". The Rothenberg Report.
175. (May 21, 2011). "Siena Poll: Hochul Leads Corwin, 42% to 38% Among Likely Voters". Siena Poll.
176. McCarthy, Robert J.. (May 20, 2011). "Social issues help clarify House race". The Buffalo News.
177. (May 19, 2011). "A Test Market for Spin". FactCheck.org.
178. McCarthy, Robert J.. (April 14, 2011). "Davis, Hochul to air new ads". The Buffalo News.
179. (March 1, 2012). "Hochul under fire for town meeting comments". The Daily News Online.
180. (April 2025). "Kathy Courtney Hochul-Biography". Project Vote Smart.
181. (April 21, 2011}}{{Dead link). "Hochul Urges Congress to Reject Ryan Budget Proposal that Would Decimate Medicare". Project Vote Smart.
182. Weiner, Rachel. (February 25, 2011). "Why NY-26 (probably) won't be another GOP civil war". The Washington Post.
183. Holmes, Melissa. (March 2, 2012). "Hochul Birth Control Controversy Won't Go Away". WGRZ.com.