NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Gov. Kathy Hochul praised state lawmakers on Monday after they introduced a bill that will effectively remove her now-indicted former Lieutenant Gov. Brian Benjamin from the June primary ballot.
Hochul would be able to pick a new running mate if the legislation passed allowing someone's name to be withdrawn from the ballot if they had been arrested or charged with a crime.
"This is not for me. It’s for future cases as well, for any office, if someone is accused of a crime," she said.
Benjamin was charged in a bribery scheme and resigned from his hand-picked post last month. He has pleaded not guilty.
Hochul, who is running to secure the Democratic nomination, described the scenario as unfortunate.
"Everyone understands the intense time frame we are under. We had to get someone," she said. "It is not a situation that was desirable. Could we do it all over again differently? Yes."
Hochul previously claimed she was blindsided by Benjamin's arrest.
She said a replacement could be named within the next few days.
"The voters deserve to have functioning government and that's what I am going to offer them with someone of my choice," Hochul said.
Democratic Long Island Rep. Tom Suozzi, who is running against Hochul, has accused Hochul of crossing an ethical line and fostering a culture of corruption.
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