Kathy Hochul
2021 - Present
2027
3
Kathy Hochul (Democratic Party) is the Governor of New York. She assumed office on August 24, 2021. Her current term ends on January 1, 2027.
Hochul (Democratic Party, Working Families Party) ran for re-election for Governor of New York. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022. She advanced from the Democratic primary on June 28, 2022.
Hochul is the 57th Governor of New York. She assumed office following the resignation of then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D). Hochul served as the 77th Lieutenant Governor of New York, a position she was elected to as Cuomo's running mate in 2014 and 2018. She served in the United States House of Representatives from 2011 to 2012 and was Clerk of Erie County from 2007 to 2011. In 2012, challenger Chris Collins (R) defeated Hochul 50.8% to 49.2%.
Before entering politics, Hochul worked as a legislative aide and attorney in private practice.
Hochul's policy accomplishments in her first term included investments in childcare and public education, limits on the purchase of semiautomatic rifles and body armor, expanding the state's red flag law, expanding abortion access, and accelerating the planned implementation of a $1.2 billion tax cut.[1]
As governor, Hochul is responsible for appointing judges to the state's appellate courts. In April 2023, Hochul appointed Rowan Wilson as chief judge of the New York Court of Appeals to replace the retired Janet DiFiore. This appointment shifted the court's majority from conservative to liberal.[2]
Biography
Hochul was born in Buffalo, New York. She received a B.A. from Syracuse University in 1980 and a J.D. from Catholic University in 1983. In addition to working as an attorney in private practice, she was an aide to Rep. John LaFalce (D) from 1984 to 1986 and to Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D) from 1986 to 1988. She served as Deputy Clerk of Erie County in New York from 2003 to 2007 and as Clerk of Erie County from 2007 to 2011.[3]
Elections
2022
See also: New York gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022
General election
General election for Governor of New York
Incumbent Kathy Hochul defeated Lee Zeldin in the general election for Governor of New York on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Kathy Hochul (D / Working Families Party) | 53.1 | 3,140,415 |
 | Lee Zeldin (R / Conservative Party) | 46.7 | 2,762,581 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 9,290 | ||
| Total votes: 5,912,286 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jumaane Williams (Working Families Party)
- John Nistico (Constitutional Party)
- Larry Sharpe (L)
- Alex Zapesochny (Unite Party)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of New York
Incumbent Kathy Hochul defeated Jumaane Williams and Tom Suozzi in the Democratic primary for Governor of New York on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kathy Hochul | 67.4 | 607,928 |
 | Jumaane Williams | 19.3 | 173,872 | |
 | Tom Suozzi | 13.0 | 116,972 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 3,730 | ||
| Total votes: 902,502 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Agha Muhammad Saleh (D)
- Nicolae Bunea (D)
- Letitia James (D)
- Paul Nichols (D)
- Vladimy Joseph (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of New York
Lee Zeldin defeated Andrew Giuliani, Rob Astorino, and Harry Wilson in the Republican primary for Governor of New York on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Lee Zeldin | 43.4 | 196,874 |
 | Andrew Giuliani | 22.8 | 103,267 | |
 | Rob Astorino | 18.6 | 84,464 | |
 | Harry Wilson | 14.7 | 66,736 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.5 | 2,261 | ||
| Total votes: 453,602 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Skiboky Stora (R)
- Derrick Gibson (R)
- Kris Lord (R)
- Kim Jarrett (R)
- Michael Carpinelli (R)
Conservative Party primary election
The Conservative Party primary election was canceled. Lee Zeldin advanced from the Conservative Party primary for Governor of New York.
Working Families Party primary election
The Working Families Party primary election was canceled. Jumaane Williams advanced from the Working Families Party primary for Governor of New York.
2018
General election
General election for Lieutenant Governor of New York
Incumbent Kathy Hochul defeated Julie Killian, Jia Lee, Andrew Hollister, and Michael Volpe in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of New York on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kathy Hochul (D / Working Families Party / Independence Party / Women's Equality Party) | 59.6 | 3,635,340 |
 | Julie Killian (R / Conservative Party / Tax Revolt Party) | 36.2 | 2,207,602 | |
 | Jia Lee (G) | 1.7 | 103,946 | |
 | Andrew Hollister (L) | 1.6 | 95,033 | |
 | Michael Volpe (Serve America Movement Party) | 0.9 | 55,441 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 7,115 | ||
| Total votes: 6,104,477 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of New York
Incumbent Kathy Hochul defeated Jumaane Williams in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of New York on September 13, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kathy Hochul | 53.4 | 768,029 |
| Jumaane Williams | 46.6 | 669,068 | |
| Total votes: 1,437,097 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of New York
Julie Killian advanced from the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of New York on September 13, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Julie Killian |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Green primary election
Green primary for Lieutenant Governor of New York
Jia Lee advanced from the Green primary for Lieutenant Governor of New York on September 13, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Jia Lee |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Lieutenant Governor of New York
Andrew Hollister advanced from the Libertarian convention for Lieutenant Governor of New York on April 20, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Andrew Hollister (L) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
To view Hochul's endorsements in the 2018 election, please click here.
2014
Hochul first ran for election to the office of Lieutenant Governor of New York in 2014. She won the Democratic nomination in the primary on a ticket with incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo after facing primary challenger, Tim Wu. Hochul and Cuomo won the general election on November 4, 2014.[4]
Results
General election
| Governor and Lieutenant Governor of New York, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Andrew Cuomo/Kathy Hochul Incumbent |
54.3% | 2,069,480 | |
| Republican | Rob Astorino/Chris Moss | 40.3% | 1,536,879 | |
| Green | Howie Hawkins/Brian Jones | 4.8% | 184,419 | |
| Libertarian | Michael McDermott/Chris Edes | 0.4% | 16,967 | |
| Sapient | Steven Cohn/Bobby K. Kalotee | 0.1% | 4,963 | |
| Total Votes | 3,812,708 | |||
| Election results via New York State Board of Elections | ||||
Primary
| Lieutenant Governor of New York, Democratic Primary, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
| Kathy Hochul |
60.2% | 329,089 | ||
| Tim Wu | 39.8% | 217,614 | ||
| Total Votes | 546,703 | |||
| Election results via New York State Board of Elections. | ||||
2012
Hochul ran for re-election in 2012. Because of New York's redistricting, Hochul was running in the newly redrawn 27th District.[5] She was unopposed in the Democratic and Working Families Party primaries and faced Chris Collins (R) and Megan Lavin (I) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[6] She was defeated by Chris Collins on November 6, 2012.[7]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Chris Collins |
50.8% | 161,220 | |
| Democratic | Kathy Hochul Incumbent | 49.2% | 156,219 | |
| N/A | Write-in votes | 0% | 95 | |
| Total Votes | 317,534 | |||
| Source: New York State Board of Elections, "NYS Board of Elections Rep. in Congress Election Returns Nov. 6, 2012," accessed September 1, 2021 | ||||
2011
On May 24, 2011, Hochul was elected to the United States House by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Chris Lee (R). She also ran on the Working Families ticket. She defeated Jane L. Corwin (R), who also ran on the Conservative Party and Independence Party tickets), Jack Davis (Tea Party), and Ian L. Murphy (Green).[8]
| U.S. House, New York District 26 Special Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Kathy Hochul |
47.2% | 52,713 | |
| Republican | Jane L. Corwin | 42.3% | 47,187 | |
| Tea Party | Jack Davis | 9% | 10,029 | |
| Green | Ian L. Murphy | 1.1% | 1,177 | |
| Blank/Scattering | 0.4% | 491 | ||
| Total Votes | 111,597 | |||
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Kathy Hochul did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Hochul’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Life of Service Kathy Hochul is the 77th Lieutenant Governor of New York. A lifelong New Yorker, she was born and raised in a blue-collar Irish Catholic family in Buffalo that instilled a deep passion for public service and activism. She continued that fighting spirit as a student organizer, as a young attorney and aide to Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and then as a member of her Town Board, Erie County Clerk, and as a Member of Congress. After the Tea Party wave in 2011, Kathy entered a special election in the most Republican congressional district in the state, and against all odds, won as a proud Democrat. Her election, and later – her victory, was viewed as a national referendum on Paul Ryan’s agenda to bankrupt Social Security and Medicare. Despite risking her reelection, Kathy always fought to protect the Affordable Care Act, a woman’s right to choose, and the rights of our LGBTQ community. In Congress, Kathy proudly received the endorsement of various women’s groups like EMILY’s List and was often targeted by Conservative media for her defense of the contraception mandate under Obamacare. Kathy was also endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign and has been a lifelong champion for the LGBTQ community and the fight for equality. Kathy maintained true to her labor roots and consistently voted to support the working men and women of America. She was a frequent critic of tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires and called for tax cuts for low and middle-income earners. Fighting for Working Families As Lieutenant Governor, she continues to fight for working families. Kathy was a strong voice in the successful fight for a $15 minimum wage and Paid Family Leave. Every day, Kathy is working with the Governor and state legislature to prioritize making lives better for all New York families – because no one working full-time should live in poverty. In the age of advanced technology, access to higher education has become increasingly more difficult. With the belief that education is a human right, Kathy and the Governor fought hard to make SUNY and CUNY schools tuition-free for every middle-class family. As Chair of the Regional Economic Development Councils, Kathy has led efforts to lift up communities across this state and secured a record increase of workforce development funding, so all New Yorkers have an opportunity to find a good-paying job. And as Chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction, Kathy has maintained a laser focus to pass commonsense policies to combat the widespread epidemic. Champion for Women Throughout Kathy’s life, she has committed to empowering women. She joined her mother and aunt in establishing the Kathleen Mary House in 2006, a transitional home for victims of domestic violence. Kathy has consistently placed issues that are important to women on the top of her agenda. Traveling the state, she has leveraged her position as the highest ranking female official in state government to encourage women to be an active voice for change. Kathy wants women to dream big and take risks – and she believes in equal pay for equal work. Kathy supports banning salary history and the state’s record high goal for MWBE’s. Kathy leads advocacy campaigns for many of the Governor’s signature initiatives – from the “Enough is Enough” sexual assault prevention program to passing the strictest laws against sexual harassment in the nation – she prioritizes being a voice for all women as she visits all 62 counties every year. In addition, she chairs the Women’s Suffrage Commission and has celebrated the centennial of women’s suffrage by highlighting the central role of New Yorkers in the fight – it is the legacy of these feminists that inspires Kathy in her role as Lieutenant Governor every day. |
” |
| —Kathy Hochul’s campaign website (2018)[10] | ||
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Congressional analysis
Lobbying position after leaving office
Hochul was listed in March 2013 by USA Today as one of 16 former lawmakers who had taken on a lobbying related position after leaving office since January 2011. Former lawmakers may take positions with either lobbying firms or trade associations. Former U.S. House members are barred from lobbying their former colleagues for one year, and former U.S. Senate members are barred for two years. There are no restrictions, however, on providing advice to those who seek to shape federal legislation. Former legislators can also immediately lobby the executive branch and officials in state and local governments.[11]
Congressional staff salaries
The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Hochul paid her congressional staff a total of $382,189 in 2011. Overall, New York ranked 28th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[12]
Net worth
2011
Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Hochul's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $1,041,015 to $2,265,000. That averages to $1,653,007, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic House members in 2011 of $5,107,874.[13]
2010
Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Hochul's net worth as of 2010 was estimated at $0, which was lower than the average net worth of Democrats in 2010 of $4,465,875.[14]
National Journal vote ratings
- See also: National Journal vote ratings
2012
Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Hochul ranked 168th in the liberal rankings among members of the U.S. House.[15]
Voting with party
November 2011
Kathy Hochul voted with the Democratic Party 84.2 percent of the time, which ranked 169th among the 192 House Democratic members as of December 2011.[16]
Based on a 2012 analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Hochul was a "centrist Democratic follower."[17]
Committee assignments
2011-2012
Hochul served on the following committees:[18]
- Armed Services Committee
- Subcommittee on Emerging Threats & Capabilities
- Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
- Homeland Security Committee
- Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
- Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications
Ballot measure activity
The following table details Hochul's ballot measure stances available on Ballotpedia:
| Ballot measure support and opposition for Kathy Hochul | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballot measure | Year | Position | Status |
| New York Proposal 1, Environmental Bond Measure (2022) | 2022 | Supported[19] |  Approved |
See also
2022 Elections
- Lieutenant Governor of New York
- Lieutenant Governor
- Andrew Cuomo
- New York's 27th Congressional District elections, 2012
- New York's 27th Congressional District
External links
|
Candidate Governor of New York |
Officeholder Governor of New York |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Gotham Gazette, "A Full Term in Hand, What's Governor Hochul's Agenda?" November 14, 2023
- ↑ The New York Times, "Judge Who Could Shift N.Y.’s Highest Court Left Sails Through Hearing," April 17, 2023
- ↑ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "HOCHUL, Kathleen C., (1958 - )," accessed June 1, 2022
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedltgov - ↑ Buffalo News, "Hochul starts strong as finances are reported," April 17, 2012
- ↑ AP/CSPAN, "New York-Summary Vote Report," June 26, 2012
- ↑ York ABC News, "2012 General Election Results," accessed November 6, 2012 (dead link)
- ↑ Statement of Canvass, State of New York, State Board of Elections, "26th Congressional District"
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Kathy Hochul for Lieutenant Governor, “Bio,” accessed August 22, 2018
- ↑ USA Today, "Ex-lawmakers go to lobbying-related jobs," March 26, 2013
- ↑ LegiStorm, "Kathleen Hochul," accessed October 1, 2012
- ↑ OpenSecrets, "Kathleen Hochul (D-NY), 2011," accessed February 21, 2013
- ↑ OpenSecrets, "Kathleen Hochul (D-NY), 2010," accessed October 1, 2012
- ↑ National Journal, "2012 Congressional Vote Ratings," March 7, 2013
- ↑ OpenCongress, "Voting With Party," accessed July 2014
- ↑ GovTrack, "Hochul" accessed May 22, 2012
- ↑ Congresswoman Kathy Hochul, Representing the 26th District of New York, "Committees and Caucuses"
- ↑ Governor.ny.gov, "Governor Hochul Announces FY 2023 Investments in Clean Energy Infrastructure, Climate Resiliency and Preservation," April 9, 2022
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Andrew Cuomo (D) |
Governor of New York 2021-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by Robert J. Duffy (D) |
Lieutenant Governor of New York 2015-2021 |
Succeeded by Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D) |
| Preceded by - |
U.S. House of Representatives 2011-2013 |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Erie County Clerk Deputy |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Erie County Clerk |
Succeeded by - |
 |
State of New York Albany (capital) |
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