An arrival in a particular context. On August 24, Kathy Hochul became the new governor of New York after the resignation of Andrew Cuomo. The latter, elected since 2011, left his post after accusations of sexual harassment.
A first at this post
Kathy Hochul will be the first woman to take on this very strategic governorship. Andrew Cuomo’s right-hand man for years, she didn’t think she would “end up there”, she confessed. But the task will not be easy since before his legal woes, Andrew Cuomo was one of the most popular politicians in the country.
The coronavirus pandemic, during which he had shown rigor in the face of the virus, in opposition to Donald Trump, had even propelled him to the rank of a potential candidate for a forthcoming presidential election. Despite this, Kathy Hochul is not afraid of a challenge and promises, at 62, to be “ready to accomplish” her mission.
Experienced parliamentarian
If she appears little known to the general public, Kathy Hochul is not a beginner in the world of American politics. With her training as a lawyer, she began her rise in politics as parliamentary assistant to several elected officials.
In 2011, she won an election for the first time entering the US Congressional House of Representatives. However, she will not stay in office very long, since an electoral redistribution favored her Republican rival less than two years after her initial victory. In 2014, she was then chosen by Andrew Cuomo to become his assistant.
Little time to prove yourself
If she wants to keep her place, Kathy Hochul will have to be particularly efficient. Indeed, the next election for the post of governor of New York will take place in November 2022. She will therefore have barely more than a year to show what she is capable of, while distancing herself as much as possible from Andrew Cuomo , to avoid attacks on the behavior of the latter.
–
–
A strategy that has already started. A few days before coming to power, Kathy Hochul had described as “repulsive and illegal” the behavior of her predecessor. Among the main topics that will occupy most of his time, we find the coronavirus, which is gaining momentum in New York. It remains to be seen whether his work will convince voters, and who will be his main opponent for the next election.
–
