After the sexual harassment scandal by New York’s resigned Governor Andrew Cuomo, his successor, Kathy Hochul, is now in charge of the administration of the US state. The 62-year-old was the first woman to take over the political leadership of the important region with almost 20 million inhabitants and the east coast metropolis of the same name.
Hochul represents the more conservative wing of the Democrats in New York and has been deputy to Cuomo since 2015, who was in his third term in office. She had promised more transparency and a better working atmosphere in the highest government circles than in the days of her predecessor.
She chose two distinguished women, Karen Persichilli Keogh and Elizabeth Fine, for two of the highest consulting positions. According to his own statements, Hochul plans to run for a full term in 2022.
Cuomo: “Not fair”
The mood around Cuomos had been described in a report as “hostile” for women and as a “climate of fear”. Cuomo had resigned from office two weeks ago after ten years after an official investigation had accused him of sexual harassment of several women. US President Joe Biden then also called for his resignation.
In a farewell address, the fallen democratic hopefuls described the scandal as “not fair”. There were “moments of intense political pressure and media hype” that led to a quick judgment. Cuomo apparently does not see guilt in himself, despite the statements of many women: “Accusations still have to be examined and confirmed, whether by a woman or a man,” he said.
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