
Kathy Hochul
Governor of New York who recently stated the state cannot handle the influx of migrants.
First Mentioned
2/21/2026, 5:55:37 AM
Last Updated
2/21/2026, 5:57:37 AM
Research Retrieved
2/21/2026, 5:57:37 AM
Summary
Kathy Hochul is an American politician and lawyer serving as the 57th governor of New York since August 2021, holding the distinction of being the first woman to lead the state. A member of the Democratic Party, she rose through local and county government in Western New York, serving as a member of the Hamburg Town Board and as Erie County Clerk. Her federal experience includes a term in the U.S. House of Representatives representing New York's 26th district. Before ascending to the governorship following the resignation of Andrew Cuomo, she served as the state's lieutenant governor for over six years. Her tenure as governor has been marked by managing the migrant crisis in New York City, navigating legislative challenges regarding housing and transit, and securing a full term in a closely contested 2022 election.
Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
Born
1958-08-27
Firsts
First female governor of New York; first governor from Western New York since 1910
Office
57th Governor of New York
Religion
Roman Catholic
Education
B.A. from Syracuse University (1980); J.D. from Catholic University of America (1983)
Full Name
Kathleen Courtney Hochul
Political Party
Democratic Party
Timeline
- Born Kathleen Courtney in Buffalo, New York. (Source: Wikidata)
1958-08-27
- Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse University. (Source: Britannica)
1980-05-01
- Earned a Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law. (Source: US House of Representatives Archives)
1983-05-01
- Appointed as Erie County Clerk, later winning election to a full term. (Source: Wikipedia)
2007-01-01
- Won a special election to represent New York's 26th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Source: US House of Representatives Archives)
2011-05-24
- Inaugurated as the Lieutenant Governor of New York. (Source: Wikipedia)
2015-01-01
- Sworn in as the first female Governor of New York following the resignation of Andrew Cuomo. (Source: Wikipedia)
2021-08-24
- Elected to a full four-year term as Governor of New York, defeating Lee Zeldin. (Source: Wikipedia)
2022-11-08
- Delivered a keynote speech at a United Jewish Appeal-Federation event, later apologizing for an analogy regarding Gaza and Canada. (Source: Wikipedia)
2024-02-15
Wikipedia
View on WikipediaKathy Hochul
Kathleen Courtney Hochul ( HOH-kəl; née Courtney; born August 27, 1958) is an American politician and lawyer who has served since 2021 as the 57th governor of New York. A member of the Democratic Party, she is New York's first female governor. Born in Buffalo, New York, Hochul graduated from Syracuse University in 1980 and received a Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C. in 1984. After serving on the Hamburg Town Board and as deputy Erie County clerk, Hochul was appointed Erie County clerk in 2007. She was elected to a full term as Erie County clerk in 2007 and reelected in 2010. In May 2011, Hochul won a four-candidate special election for New York's 26th congressional district, becoming the first Democrat to represent the district in 40 years. She served as a U.S. representative from 2011 to 2013, and was narrowly defeated for reelection in 2012 by Chris Collins following redistricting. In the 2014 New York gubernatorial election, Governor Andrew Cuomo selected Hochul as his running mate; after they won the election, Hochul was inaugurated as lieutenant governor. Cuomo and Hochul were reelected in 2018. Hochul took office as governor of New York on August 24, 2021, after Cuomo resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment. She won a full term in the 2022 election against Republican U.S. Representative Lee Zeldin in the narrowest New York gubernatorial election since 1994.
Web Search Results
- Kathy Hochul | Biography, Governor, Politics, Congress ... - Britannica
Kathy Hochul (born August 27, 1958, Woodlawn, New York, U.S.) is an American politician and attorney who has served as the governor of New York since 2021. She is the state’s first female governor. Hochul previously served as Erie county clerk (2007–11), U.S. representative for New York’s 26th congressional district (2011–13), and lieutenant governor (2015–21) to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. She is a member of the Democratic Party but has often taken right-leaning stances. Hochul defends her political shifts by saying that she is fulfilling her obligations as an elected representative. “People want results now,” she told New York Magazine in 2021. “They want basic competency at tackling problems, and no one could look at my record and say what camp I fit into because I will defy those labels. They [...] Quick Facts In full: : Kathleen Courtney Hochul Original name: : Kathleen Courtney Born: : August 27, 1958, Woodlawn, New York, U.S. (age 67) Title / Office: : governor (2021-), New York See all related content During the 2023 legislative session Hochul struggled to pass her legislative agenda. A plan to relieve the state’s housing crisis, with measures including rent protections and tax breaks for developers, collapsed twice because she couldn’t reach an agreement with lawmakers. She was accused of allying herself too closely with developers. Her nominee for chief judge was also rejected by the state Senate. However, she notched victories on school aid, a minimum-wage increase, and funding for New York City’s public transit system. [...] Top Questions Who is Kathy Hochul? What important political job does Kathy Hochul hold? How did Kathy Hochul become the governor of New York? What political party does Kathy Hochul belong to? What are some main issues or goals that Kathy Hochul has worked on? How has Kathy Hochul’s leadership influenced New York State since she became governor?
- Kathy Hochul - Wikipedia
Hochul was sworn in as governor at 12:00 AM Eastern Time (ET) on August 24 by New York Chief Judge Janet DiFiore in a private ceremony. A public ceremonial event was held later that morning at the State Capitol's Red Room. Hochul is the state's first female governor. She is also the first New York governor from outside New York City and its immediate suburbs since 1932 (when Franklin Delano Roosevelt left office). Hochul also became the first governor from north of Hyde Park since Nathan L. Miller in 1922, in addition to being the first governor from Western New York since Horace White in 1910 and the first governor from Buffalo since Grover Cleveland in 1885. On August 12, Hochul confirmed that she planned to run for a full term as governor in 2022. She was the first Democrat to announce [...] from state lawmakers, business leaders, and climate activists. Hochul defended her sudden decision to block the congestion pricing plan based in part on conversations with New Yorkers, particularly from a Manhattan diner, and claimed that the plan would "suck the vitality out of this city when we’re still fighting for our comeback". Lawmakers said her plan to raise payroll taxes to cover the lost revenue ran contrary to her reason for halting the program, and that the sudden tax hike would incapacitate the city's post-COVID-19 economic recovery. Democratic Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris condemned how the program was derailed "at the last possible moment" before giving lawmakers less than 48 hours to create an alternative funding plan, calling it "irresponsible" and "inconsistent [...] In February 2024, during the Israeli invasion of Gaza "Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip (2023–present)"), Hochul was the keynote speaker at a United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York event. During her speech, she made remarks implying that Israel had a right to destroy Gaza in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel: "If Canada someday ever attacked Buffalo, I'm sorry, my friends, there would be no Canada the next day." Following angry responses from a wide range of parties—including public officials and the Buffalo chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace—Hochul apologized for her "inappropriate analogy".
- HOCHUL, Kathleen C. | US House of Representatives
After a long history of political activism and with a background in charity work, Kathleen C. Hochul seized a rare opportunity to launch a short but busy congressional career. Arriving in Congress after winning a special election, she spent much of her single term calling for bipartisanship and for “bettering the lives of middle class families, farmers, small business owners, seniors, and veterans.”1 Hochul also touted her political independence which, she said, “shows people of all parties will support me, because they trust my judgment and they know I’m a fighter.”2 [...] HOCHUL, Kathleen C., A Representative from New York; born in Buffalo, Erie County, N.Y, August 27, 1958; graduated from Hamburg High School, Hamburg, N.Y., 1976; B.A., Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y. , 1980; J.D., Catholic University, Washington, D.C., 1983; lawyer, private practice; aide to United States Representative John LaFalce of New York, 1984-1986; aide to United States Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York, 1986-1988; deputy clerk, Erie County, N.Y., 2003-2007; clerk, Erie County, N.Y., 2007-2011; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Twelfth Congress, by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of United States Representative Christopher Lee (May 24, 2011-January 3, 2013); unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the One Hundred Thirteenth [...] Kathleen C. Hochul was born Kathleen (Kathy) Courtney on August 27, 1958, in Buffalo, New York, one of six children. Her father, Jack Courtney, was president of a technology company, and her mother, Patricia Courtney, was a business owner. Hochul grew up in Erie County near the Bethlehem Steel Plant where her father worked while completing his education.3 Her politically and socially conscious parents often cared for and hosted underprivileged children and instilled in Hochul the values of public service from a young age. While attending Hamburg High School, Hochul began volunteering for local politicians during summer vacations. She graduated in 1976 and attended Syracuse University. After earning a BA in 1980, she attended Catholic University in Washington, DC, earning a law degree in
- About - Kathy Hochul
Governor Hochul has also introduced a bold agenda to promote greater equity and expand opportunity for every New Yorker — from making New York more affordable to helping small businesses keep their doors open, strengthening public safety, and leading the fight for justice, dignity, and equality for all. A lifelong New Yorker, Kathy was born and raised in a blue-collar Irish Catholic family in Buffalo that instilled in her a deep passion for public service. Kathy watched her mother raise six children. And she watched her dad dream big for his family — working in a steel plant by day and getting an education by night.
- Kathy Hochul - National Governors Association
Since being sworn into office in 2021, Governor Hochul has led by establishing a bold vision for New York’s future. Governor Hochul has spearheaded comprehensive policies and initiatives to help New Yorkers and their families, while building an economy that is stronger and more inclusive than before. Governor Hochul is making historic investments in the people, places, and things to make that happen – from healthcare workers, small businesses, and working families to infrastructure, education, and workforce development. And in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s reckless decisions to strip away abortion rights and strike down commonsense gun regulations, Governor Hochul led the charge in Albany to protect reproductive health care and strengthen gun safety laws, ensuring New York
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Date Of Birth
8/27/1958Place Of Birth
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