Updated Aug 24, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Kathy Hochul sworn in as New York's first female governor

Yacob Reyes

Kathy Hochul (R) is administered the oath of office as New York State governor by Court of Appeals Chief Judge Janet DiFiore — Kathy Hochul (right) is administered the oath of office as New York State governor by Court of Appeals Chief Judge Janet DiFiore as her husband, Bill Hochul, holds a Bible at the state Capitol in Albany, New York, on Tuesday. Photo: Hans Pennink-Pool/Getty Images

New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul was sworn in as the state's 57th governor Tuesday, following former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's resignation amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

Why it matters: Hochul, a Democrat, is the first woman to serve as governor of New York and will serve out the remainder of Cuomo's term until 2022.

Nine women now serve as governor in the U.S. — tying with a record set in 2004 and equaled in 2007 and 2019, though this is well short of gender proportionality, AP notes.
Hochul has already announced her bid for governor in 2022, the first Democrat to do so after Cuomo said he would resign.
Hochul has vowed that no one will ever call her workplace "toxic," per AP.

Background: Hochul received national attention after winning a special election in 2011 for a New York congressional seat that had not gone to a Democrat in 40 years.

Hochul later joined Cuomo's gubernatorial ticket as lieutenant governor in 2014, though the two have rarely appeared in public together.

What they're saying: "I'll tell New Yorkers I’m up to the task," Hochul told WGRZ after being sworn in. "And I'm really proud to be able to serve as their governor and I won’t let them down."

She noted earlier that she has "a different approach to governing," per AP. "I get the job done because I don’t have time for distractions, particularly coming into this position," Hochul added.
State Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs said, "She's very experienced and I think she’ll be a refreshing and exciting new governor."

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new comment from Hochul and to include details of the governor's record.

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Kathy Hochul sworn in as New York's first female governor

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