ALBANY, N..Y. – New York now has a new governor.
Kathy Hochul was sworn in early Tuesday as the Empire state’s first female governor, taking over for now-former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Hochul was sworn in at the state capitol by New York’s chief judge Janet DiFiore in a private ceremony, the New York Times reported.
New York Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, left, swears in Kathy Hochul, right, as the first woman to be New York’s governor while her husband Bill Hochul holds a bible during a swearing-in ceremony in the Red Room at the state Capitol, early Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink, Pool)
She takes office after Cuomo resigned 14 days ago following multiple sexual harassment allegations against him and an investigation by the state attorney. The investigation alleges Cuomo harassed at least 11 women, The Associated Press reported.
Prior to his resignation, Cuomo served the state for 10 years as governor until 12:00 a.m. Tuesday, the AP reported.
>>Previous coverage: Cuomo resignation: Who is Kathy Hochul, the woman who will succeed Cuomo?
Hochul said she will guide the state through the coronavirus pandemic and the economic fallout it caused. She said will also bring civility to the state government.
“I feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders and I will tell New Yorkers I’m up for the task,” Hochul told WGRZ. “I thought about all the women that came before me, including my mother who was not there, but a lot of women through history, and I felt they passed the torch to me.”
A ceremonial swearing was scheduled for later Tuesday and she will address the public at 3 p.m., the AP reported.
