She feels “honored to have been sworn in as the 45th governor of New York,” wrote Hochul on Twitter that night. On Tuesday, a ceremony with her family was on the program and then a speech to the population. Hochul told the broadcaster WGRZ that she was ready for her new job. But she also feels the responsibility on her shoulders.
Hochul represents the more conservative wing of the Democrats in New York and has been deputy to Cuomo since 2015, who was in his third term in office. She chose two distinguished women, Karen Persichilli Keogh and Elizabeth Fine, for two of the highest consulting positions. The capital of the state of New York with almost 20 million inhabitants and the seat of governor is not the metropolis of the same name, but the 100,000-inhabitant city of Albany.
“Climate of Fear” under Cuomo
Hochul had promised more transparency and a better working atmosphere in the highest government circles than at the time of her predecessor. The mood around Cuomos was described in a report as “hostile” for women and as a “climate of fear”. According to his own statements, Hochul plans to run for a full term in 2022.
“I think it’s very clear that the governor and I weren’t very close,” the 62-year-old politician told NBC. “At the end of my term of office, whenever that is, nobody will describe my government as a toxic working atmosphere,” said Hochul. Her style is to listen to people and then act decisively.
“I’ll fight like hell for you every day,” she promised the people of New York State. Hochul defended the issues that she and Cuomo had campaigned for over the past few years – including the minimum wage. The government has achieved a lot in this regard. “I know the job, I’ve fought for the same issues, so I’m better suited than anyone for this job.”
Hochul: Didn’t notice the scandal
Cuomo had resigned two weeks ago after ten years in office, thus anticipating impending impeachment proceedings. Previously, the New York attorney general Letitia James published a report in which the governor is accused of having sexually molested eleven women.
US President Joe Biden then also called for his resignation. Cuomo has denied the allegations. Of the events described in the report, they did not notice anything, said Hochul at NBC. “I wasn’t there when these things happened and I found it disgusting when they came out.”
Cuomo: “Not fair”
In a farewell address on Monday, the fallen Democratic hopefuls again portrayed himself as the victim of a political campaign. The New York attorney general’s report on the allegations against him was designed as a “political firecracker on an explosive topic,” said Cuomo. “And it worked. There was political and media panic. But I am confident that in time the truth will come out. “
There are “moments of intense political pressure and media frenzy that lead to hasty judgment,” said the 63-year-old politician. That is not “right” and not “fair”. Ultimately, it also does not do justice to women who make allegations of sexual harassment.
Fallen star of the Democrats
Cuomo, who comes from a political dynasty, was elected governor in 2010 and has since become one of the stars of the Democrats. During the peak of the coronavirus pandemic in spring 2020, the politician, who was praised for his crisis management, was even traded as a possible presidential candidate for his party. He was later accused of hiding the extent of deaths in nursing homes. In addition, numerous former employees accused him of sexual harassment.
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