At Grand Opening, Hochul Commits to Making New York City Safer and More Affordable

Ms. Hochul will begin the legislative year already at odds with left-leaning Democrats in the state Senate over her bid for state chief justice. At least a dozen state senators, including Michael Gianaris, the deputy upper house majority leader, have announced in recent days that they will vote against confirming his pick, Hector LaSalle.

The intense opposition has put Ms Hochul’s nominee in grave danger, raising the possibility that Ms Hochul, who has so far stood by her decision, may have to withdraw her nomination and suffer an embarrassing political defeat early in her first term. complete. .

Ms. Hochul’s first inauguration capped her meteoric rise to the state’s highest office: In August 2021, she unexpectedly replaced Mr. Cuomo after he resigned amid a sexual harassment scandal, propelling Ms. Hochul , then its mostly obscure lieutenant governor, in the limelight.

Former congresswoman Ms. Hochul made history as the state’s first female governor and first western New York governor in over a century, and she was quick to make a name for herself. in Albany.

She secured a series of policy priorities during her 500 days in office, including passing a $220 billion state budget, as well as changes to bail and gun laws. state, and has decided to develop a more cordial relationship with his fellow Democrats who control the state Legislature.

Presenting herself as a leader above the fray and a calming presence after Cuomo’s combative leadership and sudden downfall, Ms Hochul immediately announced her candidacy for a full term and quickly established herself as the de facto leader. of the state Democratic Party. She raised record amounts of campaign contributions and won a resounding victory in a three-way primary last summer.

Armed with an overwhelming fundraising advantage in a state where Democratic voters vastly outnumber Republicans, Ms. Hochul looked poised to win the general election with ease. But Mr. Zeldin tapped into crime fears and issued a vigorous challenge, fueled by support from independent and suburban voters, and even a significant number of Democrats in New York, who seemed upset by the public security.