History of Kathy Hochul in Timeline
"Kathleen Hochul is an American politician and lawyer serving as the 57th governor of New York since August 2021. A Democrat, she is the first female governor of New York and the first from Upstate New York since 1920."
1910: First Governor From Western New York Since 1910
Kathy Hochul's role as governor is significant because she is the first to represent Western New York in this capacity since Horace White in 1910.
1920: Last Governor of New York from Upstate Before Hochul
1920 marked the year when the last governor of New York from Upstate before Kathy Hochul, Nathan L. Miller, held office.
1922: First Governor From North of Hyde Park Since 1922
Kathy Hochul's position as governor is notable as she is the first to come from north of Hyde Park since Nathan L. Miller in 1922.
1932: First Governor From Outside NYC Since 1932
Kathy Hochul's inauguration marked the first time since 1932, when Franklin Delano Roosevelt left office, that a New York governor hailed from outside of New York City and its immediate suburbs.
August 27, 1958: Birth of Kathy Hochul
Kathy Hochul was born on August 27, 1958, in Buffalo, New York.
1979: Hochul's Activism at Syracuse University Recognized
In 1979, The Daily Orange, the student newspaper at Syracuse University, recognized Kathy Hochul's activism on campus with an "A" grade.
1980: Hochul Earns Bachelor's Degree from Syracuse University
Kathy Hochul earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in political science from the Maxwell School of Syracuse University in 1980.
1980: Hochul Graduates from Syracuse University
Kathy Hochul graduated from Syracuse University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.
1984: Hochul Receives Juris Doctor from Catholic University of America
Kathy Hochul obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C., in 1984.
1984: Hochul Completes Juris Doctor at Catholic University of America
Kathy Hochul received her Juris Doctor degree from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C., in 1984.
January 3, 1994: Hochul Appointed to Hamburg Town Board
On January 3, 1994, Kathy Hochul was appointed to a vacant seat on the Hamburg Town Board following Patrick H. Hoak's resignation.
November 1994: Hochul Elected to Full Term on Hamburg Town Board
Kathy Hochul was elected to a full term on the Hamburg Town Board in November 1994, running on the Democratic and Conservative lines.
1994: Previous Close New York Gubernatorial Election
The previous New York gubernatorial election as close as the one in 2022 occurred in 1994.
1998: Hochul Re-elected to Hamburg Town Board
Kathy Hochul won re-election to the Hamburg Town Board in 1998.
2002: Hochul Re-elected to Hamburg Town Board
Kathy Hochul was re-elected to the Hamburg Town Board in 2002.
May 2003: Hochul Appointed Deputy Erie County Clerk
Kathy Hochul was appointed as deputy Erie County clerk by David Swarts in May 2003.
2006: Hochul Re-elected to Hamburg Town Board
Kathy Hochul won re-election to the Hamburg Town Board in 2006.
January 2007: Swarts Joins Spitzer Administration
David Swarts, who had appointed Kathy Hochul as deputy Erie County clerk, joined Governor Eliot Spitzer's administration in January 2007.
April 10, 2007: Hochul Resigns from Hamburg Town Board
Kathy Hochul resigned from the Hamburg Town Board on April 10, 2007.
April 2007: Hochul Appointed Erie County Clerk
Following David Swarts's move to the Spitzer administration, Kathy Hochul was appointed Erie County clerk in April 2007.
2007: Hochul Appointed and Elected as Erie County Clerk
Initially appointed Erie County clerk in 2007, Kathy Hochul went on to be elected for a full term the same year.
2007: Opposition to Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants
In 2007, while serving as Erie County Clerk, Kathy Hochul opposed the proposal to grant driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants.
November 2010: Hochul Wins Re-election as Erie County Clerk
Kathy Hochul won re-election as Erie County clerk in November 2010 with a significant majority, securing 80% of the vote.
2010: Hochul Opposes Paterson's License Plate Proposal
In 2010, Kathy Hochul, then a congressional candidate, opposed then-Governor David Paterson's proposal to require new license plates for all vehicle owners as a revenue-raising measure.
2010: Hochul Re-elected as Erie County Clerk
Kathy Hochul was re-elected for another term as Erie County clerk in 2010.
May 2011: Hochul Wins Special Election for New York's 26th Congressional District
In May 2011, Kathy Hochul won a special election for New York's 26th congressional district, becoming the first Democrat to represent the district in 40 years.
May 24, 2011: Hochul Runs in Special Election for New York's 26th Congressional District
Kathy Hochul ran in the special election for New York's 26th congressional district on May 24, 2011, following the resignation of Chris Lee.
June 2011: Opposition to CFTC Funding Cuts
In June 2011, Kathy Hochul voiced her opposition to legislation aiming to reduce funding for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) by 44%. She argued that the CFTC's role in regulating oil speculation and preventing consumer exploitation would be jeopardized by such cuts and the resulting staff layoffs.
September 17, 2011: Opposition to Free Trade Agreements
On September 17, 2011, it was reported that Kathy Hochul and her election opponent, Jack Davis, shared a stance against free trade. Hochul specifically cited the unfulfilled promises of NAFTA and stated her willingness to oppose her own party on this issue.
November 19, 2011: Support for a Balanced Budget Amendment
On November 19, 2011, Brian Tumulty of WGRZ reported that Kathy Hochul had voted in favor of a balanced budget amendment, a decision she characterized as a "bipartisan solution".
2011: EMILY's List Endorses Hochul
EMILY's List, a political action committee supporting Democratic women candidates who support abortion rights, endorsed Kathy Hochul in 2011.
2011: Community Involvement and Advocacy
As of 2011, Kathy Hochul was involved in several community organizations. Notably, she founded Kathleen Mary House, a transitional home for women and children escaping domestic violence, and served on its board. She also co-founded the Village Action Coalition and was a board member of Immaculata Academy in Hamburg, New York.
February 2012: Town Hall Meeting on Affordable Care Act
During a town hall meeting in February 2012, Hochul faced criticism and was booed for stating that the federal government's requirement for employers to provide birth control coverage under the Affordable Care Act was "not looking to the Constitution." Though a spokesman later claimed she misspoke, no clarification was given.
2012: Hochul Loses Re-election Bid for Congress
Kathy Hochul lost her re-election bid for Congress in 2012 to Chris Collins after redistricting changed the district's demographics.
2012: Hochul Loses Congressional Election to Chris Collins
Kathy Hochul lost the 2012 congressional election to Republican Chris Collins after redistricting made her district more Republican-leaning.
2012: Hochul Supports Resolution Holding Eric Holder in Contempt
Kathy Hochul was among 17 Democrats who joined Republicans in 2012 to support a resolution holding then-United States Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress in connection with the ATF gunwalking scandal.
2013: End of Hochul's Term as U.S. Representative
Kathy Hochul's term as a U.S. representative concluded in 2013.
May 22, 2014: Hochul Endorsed for Lieutenant Governor at Democratic Convention
Kathy Hochul received the formal endorsement of the state Democratic convention delegates for lieutenant governor on May 22, 2014.
2014: Cuomo Selects Hochul as Running Mate
Andrew Cuomo chose Kathy Hochul as his running mate for the 2014 New York gubernatorial election.
January 1, 2015: Hochul Sworn in as Lieutenant Governor
Kathy Hochul was sworn in as lieutenant governor of New York on January 1, 2015.
2015: Enough is Enough Campaign
Beginning in 2015, Kathy Hochul played a key role in the "Enough is Enough" campaign, an initiative spearheaded by Governor Andrew Cuomo to address sexual assault on college campuses. Hochul actively participated in over 25 events for the campaign.
March 2016: Appointment to the New York State Women's Suffrage 100th Anniversary Commemoration Commission
In March 2016, Kathy Hochul was appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo to the New York State Women's Suffrage 100th Anniversary Commemoration Commission.
May 30, 2018: Reproductive Health Act Standoff
On May 30, 2018, Kathy Hochul, prepared to cast a tie-breaking vote in favor of the Reproductive Health Act, faced opposition from Senate Republicans who shut down proceedings to prevent a vote.
June 5, 2018: First Veto Override During Cuomo's Tenure
On June 5, 2018, presiding over the Senate chamber, Kathy Hochul oversaw the first veto override during Governor Cuomo's time in office, concerning a bill related to full-day kindergarten.
July 2018: Call to Pass the Reproductive Health Act
At a July 2018 rally with Planned Parenthood, Kathy Hochul urged the Republican-controlled State Senate to convene and pass the Reproductive Health Act, emphasizing the urgency given Brett Kavanaugh's potential Supreme Court confirmation.
2018: Cuomo and Hochul Re-elected
Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul secured re-election for their respective positions in 2018.
2018: Support for Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants
In 2018, Kathy Hochul changed her stance on providing driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants, expressing support for the idea after opposing it in 2007.
2018: Hochul Wins Democratic Primary and General Election for Lieutenant Governor
Kathy Hochul won both the Democratic primary and the general election for lieutenant governor of New York in 2018.
January 2019: Passage of the Reproductive Health Act
The Reproductive Health Act, a key piece of legislation, was reintroduced and successfully passed with significant support in both the state House and Senate in January 2019.
2019: Congestion Pricing Plan Introduced
The congestion pricing plan in Manhattan, which Kathy Hochul would later halt, was initially introduced in 2019.
August 10, 2021: Andrew Cuomo Announces Resignation
Following allegations of sexual misconduct and a report by New York Attorney General Letitia James, Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation as governor on August 10, 2021, effective August 24.
August 2021: Kathy Hochul Becomes Governor of New York
Kathy Hochul became the 57th governor of New York in August 2021, making her the first female governor of the state.
August 2021: Potential Conflict of Interest Concerns Raised
In August 2021, reports emerged highlighting a potential conflict of interest due to the high-level executive position held by Kathy Hochul's husband, William Hochul, at Delaware North, a Buffalo-based company, given the company's dealings with the state.
August 24, 2021: Hochul Assumes Governorship Following Cuomo's Resignation
Kathy Hochul assumed the governorship of New York on August 24, 2021, following Andrew Cuomo's resignation due to sexual harassment allegations.
August 26, 2021: Appointment of Brian Benjamin as Lieutenant Governor
Kathy Hochul appointed State Senator Brian Benjamin as lieutenant governor of New York on August 26, 2021.
September 9, 2021: Brian Benjamin Sworn In
On September 9, 2021, Brian Benjamin was formally sworn into office as the lieutenant governor of New York.
November 2021: Push to End Remote Work and Redevelopment Plans
In November 2021, Kathy Hochul advocated for the return of workers to offices, aiming to end the practice of remote work implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also unveiled plans for the redevelopment of Manhattan's Pennsylvania Station and its surrounding area, with a focus on reducing density.
December 2021: Reinstatement of Indoor Mask Mandate
In response to concerns over the Omicron variant, Kathy Hochul announced the reinstatement of an indoor mask mandate in December 2021.
January 2022: Vaccine Mandate Expansion and Eviction Moratorium Expiration
In January 2022, Kathy Hochul expanded the existing vaccine mandate for healthcare workers to include a booster shot requirement. This same month, she confirmed the expiration of New York's eviction moratorium on January 15.
February 17, 2022: New York State Democratic Convention Endorsement
On February 17, 2022, the New York State Democratic Convention endorsed Kathy Hochul for governor. By that time, she had raised $21 million in campaign funds.
March 2022: Agreement for New Buffalo Bills Stadium
In March 2022, Kathy Hochul reached an agreement with the Buffalo Bills for a new stadium, with taxpayers contributing $850 million towards construction and committing to maintenance and repairs. This deal sparked criticism, with some labeling it as corporate welfare.
April 12, 2022: Brian Benjamin Resigns Amid Federal Charges
Brian Benjamin resigned from his position as lieutenant governor on April 12, 2022, following federal charges of bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and falsification of records, allegedly committed during his time in the State Senate.
May 3, 2022: Selection of Antonio Delgado as Lieutenant Governor
On May 3, 2022, Kathy Hochul chose U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado to fill the vacant position of lieutenant governor of New York.
June 22, 2022: Infrastructure Investment in Western New York
Kathy Hochul revealed a $300 million plan on June 22, 2022, to support the rebuilding of infrastructure in communities across western New York, utilizing both public and private funding.
December 28, 2022: Digital Fair Repair Act Signed with Amendments
On December 28, 2022, despite lobbying efforts from equipment manufacturers, Governor Hochul signed the Digital Fair Repair Act into law. However, the law included amendments allowing manufacturers to provide parts assemblies instead of individual components, drawing criticism from repair advocates who argue that it undermines the bill's intent and legitimizes unethical practices.
2022: Hochul Wins Full Term as Governor
Kathy Hochul won a full term as governor of New York in the 2022 election, defeating Republican Lee Zeldin in a close race.
2022: Announces Candidacy for Full Term
In August 2022, Kathy Hochul announced her intention to run for a full term as governor in the upcoming 2022 election, becoming the first Democrat to do so after Cuomo's resignation.
2022: Lawsuit over Involuntary Detention Policy
In 2022, citizens' groups and state legislators sued Governor Kathy Hochul to block a new health department policy that allowed for the involuntary detention of individuals suspected of exposure to contagious illnesses, even without symptoms. The policy, implemented without legislative approval, was deemed unconstitutional by a New York Supreme Court Justice, citing separation of powers and due process concerns.
January 1, 2023: Inauguration and Nomination of Chief Judge
Kathy Hochul was inaugurated for her first full term as governor on January 1, 2023. One of her first actions was to nominate Hector LaSalle for the vacant position of chief judge of the New York Court of Appeals.
April 2023: Use of Consulting Firms for State of the State Address
In April 2023, the New York Times reported that Governor Hochul's use of consulting firms Deloitte and Boston Consulting Group in preparing her State of the State address was considered "unusual, and possibly novel".
April 19, 2023: Confirmation of New Chief Judge Nominee
On April 19, 2023, the New York Senate confirmed Governor Hochul's nominations of Rowan D. Wilson as chief judge and Caitlin Halligan as the replacement associate judge for Wilson, following the rejection of her previous nominee.
July 2023: Civil Service Exam Fee Waiver
In July 2023, Governor Hochul, responding to a statewide labor shortage, waived application fees for all New York State civil service exams until the end of 2025 to encourage more people to apply for state government jobs.
October 7, 2023: Hamas Attack on Israel
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an attack on Israel, a significant event that influenced Governor Hochul's remarks at a later event and sparked international controversy.
December 2023: Veto of Non-Compete Agreement Ban
In December 2023, despite support from labor unions who argued that they harm workers, Governor Hochul vetoed legislation to ban non-compete agreements, following lobbying efforts from business interests.
2023: Advocacy for Expedited Work Permits for Migrants
In 2023, Kathy Hochul addressed the surge of immigration to New York by advocating for expedited work permits for migrants. She wrote to President Joe Biden, urging the federal government to "Let them get the work authorizations; let them work; legally, let them work." Hochul believes this will address both the humanitarian and workforce crises.
February 2024: Controversial Remarks on Israel-Gaza Conflict
In February 2024, during the Israeli invasion of Gaza, Governor Hochul, speaking at a United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York event, made remarks suggesting Israel had a right to destroy Gaza in retaliation for the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. Following criticism, Hochul apologized for her "inappropriate analogy".
March 2024: Deployment of National Guard to NYC Subway
In March 2024, Governor Hochul, in coordination with Mayor Eric Adams, implemented a policy to deploy 750 National Guard soldiers to the NYC subway system, empowering them to conduct random bag checks on passengers. She also proposed legislation to allow judges to ban individuals convicted of crimes from using the subway.
May 2024: Controversial Remarks About Minority Children and Technology
Governor Hochul faced criticism in May 2024 for stating at a business conference that minority children in the Bronx "don't even know what the word 'computer' is." She later issued an apology, acknowledging that her remark was a misstep and expressing regret for her words.
June 2024: Hochul Halts Congestion Pricing Plan
In June 2024, Kathy Hochul halted a congestion pricing plan in Manhattan that was set to begin shortly. The plan, under development since 2019, had already incurred significant costs and was intended to be a major funding source for the MTA.
June 2024: Congestion Pricing Plan Halted
In June 2024, just weeks before its planned implementation, Governor Hochul indefinitely suspended a congestion pricing plan for the busiest areas of Manhattan. Despite being approved in 2019 and projected to generate $1 billion in annual revenue for the MTA, the decision was made after the MTA had already invested in equipment and allocated funds based on the anticipated revenue. The move sparked widespread criticism, particularly from lawmakers, business leaders, and environmental advocates.
June 2024: Proposed Ban on Face Masks in NYC Subway
In response to protests and alleged antisemitic acts by individuals concealing their faces, Governor Hochul put forward a proposal in June 2024 to ban face masks on the New York City Subway. The proposal drew criticism from organizations like the New York Civil Liberties Union, who argued that it could be used to target and silence protesters, particularly people of color, who hide their identities for legal or professional protection.