Buffalo, NY (WBEN) In less than two weeks, Kathy Hochul will become the 57th governor of New York. Now, a new question is being asked: who should be her lieutenant governor?
One political science professor following the transitional politics says that choice could likely come from downstate.
It was the last question posed to Hochul at her Wednesday news conference. "I love upstate, I love downstate, I love the whole state, and there are so many qualified individuals," says Hochul. "I'm cognizant of the need for diversity and inclusiveness in the ticket. I will name someone I believe the state is familiar with and will be proud of," but noted that process is in the early stages.
[shortcode-inline-related expand="1" link="/wben/news/local/hochul-vows-to-fight-like-hell-as-next-governor" headline="Hochul vows to "fight like hell" as next governor as she transitions into new role" image="/media-library/image.jpg?id=63645644"]UB's Shawn Donahue says it appears Hochul would prefer to pick someone downstate to balance out the ticket. He also says two names he's heard are both critics of Andrew Cuomo, whose resignation takes effect August 24th.
"The first is State Senator Alessandra Biaggi, who was elected a few years ago and toppled the head of the Independent Democratic Conference, so she is very much on the progressive side. Early on, she called on Cuomo to resign," says Donahue. "Another person is Ron Kim, who was one of the first members of the Assembly on the Democratic side to go after Cuomo, but in his case it was on the nursing home data."
Donahue says choosing either of those would be a sign Hochul is separating herself from the Cuomo administration. "Given that she has a record in WNY that's more moderate Democrat, bringing in a progressive from downstate would balance out the ticket," explains Donahue.
Donahue believes Hochul wants to get a name out soon. "I think it will give us a good indication of whether she will seek re-election, which seems very likely, and tell us which direction she's going in re-election," says Donahue.
Donahue says Hochul could get any choice confirmed because of the supermajority in Albany in favor of Democrats. He anticipates an announcement soon.
