NEW YORK -- Lt. Gov Kathy Hochul is preparing to step in to replace Gov. Andrew Cuomo in what could be just a matter of weeks, reports say.
Hochul has been taking calls on what she could do to start off her time in office, and who she may hire, including those who could stay from Cuomo’s team, according to a Wall Street Journal report Sunday.
WSJ reports that the lieutenant governor is preparing to become New York’s first female governor in the near future as Cuomo faces an impeachment inquiry in the face of sexual harassment allegations laid out in a report from Attorney General Letitia James.
Hochul’s office confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that she is receiving advice, but it isn’t in connection to any knowledge of what Cuomo might do.
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The 62-year-old has been taking appeals from advocacy groups and governmental leaders who are looking to establish a relationship with the next in line should Cuomo leave office, according to the New York Times. She has also reportedly been in touch with all of the state’s agency commissioners over the past few weeks.
“Lots of people have been calling Kathy. She’s been listening to their advice,” a source close to Hochul told the New York Post.
The Times documented Hochul’s role in Cuomo’s administration, which she has held since 2014. It delved into her very separate day-to-day functions from the governor, with a senior official saying the two haven’t spoken since February.
Cuomo is facing a Friday deadline to provide evidence to the State Assembly Judiciary Committee before they consider articles of impeachment against him.
If the state Assembly were to impeach Cuomo, Hochul would take over as government while the state Senate trial plays out.
Hochul was not quiet on James’ report, saying what was found showed “repulsive & unlawful behavior.” She did not comment further than the two tweets she issued last week, saying that her position as lieutenant governor made it inappropriate to say more.
Hochul is a former Erie County clerk and was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives in New York’s 26th District from 2011 through 2013.