Kathy Hochul (D), the Lt. Governor of New York, was sworn in as Governor on Tuesday, hours after the former Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, left the office,
“I want people to believe in their government again,” she added. “It’s important that people have faith,” she said during her first press conference as a Governor of New York. “Our strength comes from the faith and the confidence of the people who put us in these offices, and I take that very seriously.”
“I look forward to a fresh, collaborative approach,” Hochul added. “That’s how I’ve always conducted myself. It’ll be nothing new for me, but it’s something I’m planning on introducing to the state Capitol.”
Democrats have congratulated Hochul for becoming the first woman governor of New York, including President Joe Biden.
The White House has also released details of Hochul’s phone call with Biden on Monday.
“Gov. Hochul told the president she wanted to visit Washington to meet with him to discuss infrastructure and how to work together to improve the lives of New Yorkers,” said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. “The president looks forward to hosting her at a future date.”
Hochul has also stressed the importance of “collaboration” with the other leaders in the state government.
“I have a chance to assemble all the stakeholders now that I am officially governor and I have the ability to work with them. I’ll also be discussing this with our leadership in the Assembly and the Senate,” Hochul said. “This is what collaboration looks like.”
Hochul had also vowed to fire any individuals who allow sexual harassment.
“It’s over. None of this is going to be accepted. I’ve surrounded myself with talented, young women and I want them to be the role models to others,” she said in her first major TV interview with Morning Joe. “It’s a culture where they’re going to be ok. You don’t have to look over your shoulder. You don’t have to worry about harassment.”
