State Senator Brian Benjamin, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and Reverend Al Sharpton celebrate at a press conference announcing State Senator Brian Benjamin as Lt. Governor in New York City. Senator Benjamin, who placed fourth in the Democratic primary for city comptroller earlier this year, will replace Hochul who was sworn in as Governor this week after the resignation of former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Senator Benjamin has been a lead sponsor and advocate for criminal and police reforms that includes the Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act and the Less is More Act, which restricts the use of incarceration for non-criminal technical parole violations. He has also been a proponent of affordable housing. (Photo by Ron Adar / SOPA Images/Sipa USA)
Governor Hochul Makes Special Announcement With State Senator Brian Benjamin in New York, US – 26 Aug 2021
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul will have to maneuver the sudden arrest and resignation of her running mate and lieutenant governor on bribery charges as she tries to win her party’s nomination in June.
But it’s unclear whether it will endanger her primary bid in the end. Hochul became the state’s first woman governor in August when she took over for Democrat Andrew Cuomo, who resigned amid allegations he sexually harassed 11 women, which he denied.
Political observers and Democratic strategists say it’s unclear whether Benjamin’s arrest and resignation alone will be enough for her two primary challengers to wrest the party nomination from Hochul.
—Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
