Kathy Hochul facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kathy Hochul
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Hochul in 2024
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| 57th Governor of New York | |
| Assumed office August 24, 2021 |
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| Lieutenant |
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| Preceded by | Andrew Cuomo |
| Lieutenant Governor of New York | |
| In office January 1, 2015 – August 23, 2021 |
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| Governor | Andrew Cuomo |
| Preceded by | Robert Duffy |
| Succeeded by | Andrea Stewart-Cousins (acting) |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 26th district |
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| In office June 1, 2011 – January 3, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Chris Lee |
| Succeeded by | Chris Collins (redistricting) |
| 8th Clerk of Erie County | |
| In office April 10, 2007 – June 1, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | David Swarts |
| Succeeded by | Chris Jacobs |
| Member of the Hamburg Town Board | |
| In office January 3, 1994 – April 10, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Patrick Hoak |
| Succeeded by | Richard Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Kathleen Courtney
August 27, 1958 Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Bill Hochul
(m. 1984) |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | New York Executive Mansion |
| Education |
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| Signature |  |
Kathleen Courtney Hochul (born August 27, 1958) is an American politician and lawyer. She has been the 57th governor of New York since 2021. As a member of the Democratic Party, she is the first woman to serve as New York's governor.
Born in Buffalo, New York, Kathy Hochul studied at Syracuse University and then earned a law degree from the Catholic University of America in 1984. She worked in local government, including on the Hamburg Town Board and as Erie County Clerk.
In 2011, Hochul won a special election to become a U.S. representative for New York's 26th congressional district. She was the first Democrat to represent that area in 40 years. She served in Congress from 2011 to 2013. In 2014, she became the running mate for Andrew Cuomo in the New York gubernatorial election. They won, and Hochul became Lieutenant Governor of New York. She served as lieutenant governor until August 24, 2021, when she became governor after Andrew Cuomo resigned. She won a full term as governor in the 2022 election.
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Early Life and Education
Kathy Hochul was born Kathleen Courtney in Buffalo, New York. She was the second of six children. Her family faced financial challenges when she was young. Later, her father worked for an information technology company. Her family is Irish Catholic.
During her college years at Syracuse University, Hochul was very active in student government. She led a boycott of the student bookstore because of high prices. She also worked to get the university to stop investing in companies connected to apartheid South Africa. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1980. In 1984, she received her law degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C..
Early Career in Public Service
After law school, Hochul worked as a legal assistant for U.S. Representative John LaFalce and U.S. Senator Daniel Moynihan. She also worked for the New York State Assembly.
Hochul became involved in local issues, supporting small businesses. On January 3, 1994, she was appointed to the Hamburg Town Board. She was elected to a full term later that year and reelected several times. While on the board, she worked to remove toll booths from parts of the New York State Thruway.
In 2007, she was appointed Erie County Clerk. She was elected to a full term later that year and reelected in 2010. As clerk, she opposed a proposal to allow undocumented immigrants to get driver's licenses without Social Security cards. She also opposed a plan in 2010 that would have required all New York drivers to buy new license plates.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives (2011–2013)
Winning a Special Election
In May 2011, Kathy Hochul ran in a special election for the U.S. House of Representatives. She sought to fill a vacant seat in New York's 26th congressional district. She was the candidate for the Democratic Party and the Working Families Party. Even though she lived just outside the district, she was allowed to run. After winning, she moved into the district.
The district had voted Republican for 40 years, so her opponent, Jane Corwin, was expected to win easily. However, polls showed the race getting closer. The campaign included many negative TV ads from both sides. Hochul was supported by groups like EMILY's List.
Hochul won the election, defeating Corwin 47% to 42%. This was a big surprise given the district's history.
Reelection Campaign and Committee Work
Before the 2012 election, Hochul's district was redrawn and renumbered as the 27th. The new district was more Republican. Hochul lost her reelection bid to Chris Collins, 51% to 49%.
During her time in Congress, Hochul worked on bills to make getting passports easier. She also met with then-President Barack Obama to discuss the economy and job creation. She looked for ways to reduce the federal budget deficit. She also supported ending tax breaks for oil companies and protecting small businesses.
Hochul described herself as an "independent Democrat." She pointed to her past opposition to certain proposals by Democratic governors as proof of her independence.
She served on the following committees:
- 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)
Becoming Lieutenant Governor
In 2014, Governor Andrew Cuomo chose Hochul as his running mate for lieutenant governor. The state Democratic convention officially supported her. In September, Cuomo and Hochul won their primary elections. In November, they won the general election. Hochul was sworn in as lieutenant governor on January 1, 2015.
In 2018, Hochul ran for reelection as lieutenant governor and won her primary against Jumaane Williams. The Cuomo-Hochul ticket then won the general election.
Key Responsibilities
As lieutenant governor, Hochul led 10 regional economic development councils. These councils were a main part of Governor Cuomo's plan to improve the economy.
In 2016, Hochul was named to the New York State Women's Suffrage 100th Anniversary Commemoration Commission.
In 2018, Hochul supported a law to provide driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. This was a change from her earlier position as Erie County Clerk. She explained that circumstances had changed since 2007.
Governor of New York (2021–Present)
Taking Office in 2021
On August 10, 2021, Andrew Cuomo announced he would resign as governor, effective August 24. Kathy Hochul became governor at 12:00 AM on August 24, 2021. She was sworn in by New York Chief Judge Janet DiFiore in a private ceremony. A public event was held later that morning.
Hochul made history as New York's first female governor. She is also the first New York governor from outside New York City and its nearby areas since 1932. She confirmed her plan to run for a full term as governor in 2022.
2022 Election and First Full Term
On February 17, 2022, the New York State Democratic Convention endorsed Hochul for governor. She won a full term in office, defeating Republican candidate Lee Zeldin. This was the closest New York gubernatorial election since 1994. Her election marked the first time a woman was elected governor of New York.
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After becoming governor, Hochul appointed State Senator Brian Benjamin as lieutenant governor. He was sworn in on September 9, 2021. She also appointed Karen Persichilli Keogh as secretary to the governor and Kathryn Garcia as director of state operations.
In November 2021, Hochul encouraged workers to return to offices after the COVID-19 pandemic. She also shared plans to redevelop Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan. In December 2021, she brought back an indoor mask mandate due to the spread of the Omicron variant.
In January 2022, she expanded a vaccine mandate for healthcare workers to include a booster shot. She also confirmed that New York's eviction moratorium would end on January 15.
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In March 2022, Hochul reached an agreement with the Buffalo Bills for a new stadium. Taxpayers would contribute to its construction. On April 12, 2022, Brian Benjamin resigned as lieutenant governor. On May 3, 2022, Hochul selected U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado to serve as lieutenant governor. Delgado was sworn in on May 25.
In June 2022, Hochul announced a $300 million plan to rebuild infrastructure in western New York.
In late 2022, Hochul signed the Digital Fair Repair Act into law. This bill aims to make it easier to repair electronics.
Hochul was inaugurated for her first full term on January 1, 2023. In 2023, she nominated Hector LaSalle for chief judge of the New York Court of Appeals. His nomination was rejected by the State Senate. She then nominated Rowan D. Wilson as chief judge and Caitlin Halligan as an associate judge, and both were confirmed.
In December 2023, Hochul vetoed a bill that would have banned non-compete agreements. In February 2024, she made remarks about the conflict in Gaza that she later apologized for, calling her analogy "inappropriate."
In March 2024, Hochul worked with Eric Adams to deploy National Guard soldiers to the NYC subway system for bag checks. She also proposed laws to ban criminals from riding the subway.
In May 2024, Hochul apologized for a remark she made about minority children in the Bronx not knowing what a "computer" is. She said she misspoke.
In June 2024, Hochul paused a congestion pricing plan for Manhattan. This plan was meant to reduce traffic and fund public transit. She later revived the plan in November 2024 with a reduced charge, and it began on January 5, 2025.
In June 2024, Hochul proposed banning face masks on the New York City Subway in response to certain protests. In September 2024, she signed The Retail Worker Safety Act. In December 2024, she vetoed a bill to speed up casino licensing and signed a law capping EpiPen costs. In January 2025, Hochul announced a plan for free tuition for some associate degree programs at State and City University of New York schools. In February 2025, she refused an extradition request from Louisiana for a New York doctor.
Political Views
Energy and Fiscal Policy
During her 2011 campaign, Hochul supported offering incentives to develop alternative energy. She also opposed cuts to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), saying it helps control oil speculation.
On money matters, Hochul supported raising taxes on very high earners in 2011. She believed that cuts were needed in the federal budget. However, she opposed turning Medicare into a voucher system. She suggested saving money in Medicare by reducing waste and buying prescription drugs in bulk. She also thought more jobs would help Medicare and Social Security by increasing payroll taxes.
As a member of Congress, Hochul voted for a balanced budget amendment. In July 2023, to help with a statewide worker shortage, Governor Hochul removed exam application fees for all New York State civil service exams until the end of 2025.
Health Care and Immigration
Hochul supported the Affordable Care Act and said she would not vote to repeal it.
In 2023, Hochul asked the federal government to speed up work permits for migrants coming to New York. She believed this would help both the humanitarian situation and the state's need for workers. In February 2025, the Department of Justice sued Hochul and other New York officials over their handling of immigration issues.
Trade
Hochul has opposed free trade agreements like NAFTA. She believes these agreements have led to lower wages and job losses in the United States. She has said she is willing to disagree with her own party on this issue.
Personal Life
Kathy Hochul is married to William J. Hochul Jr., who was a U.S. Attorney. He is also a senior executive at Delaware North, a company involved in hospitality and gambling. They have two children. Hochul is Catholic.
Hochul is a founder of Kathleen Mary House, a home for women and children who have experienced domestic violence. She has also served on its board. She co-founded the Village Action Coalition and was a trustee for Immaculata Academy.
In 2024, Hochul was diagnosed with basal-cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer.
See also
In Spanish: Kathy Hochul para niños
- List of current United States governors
- List of female governors in the United States
- List of female lieutenant governors in the United States
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
