Kathy Hochul

A proven leader and dedicated public servant

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul began her career in public service on her local town board. She served as liaison to the local economic development agency and worked to attract new businesses and create jobs following the loss of the Western New York manufacturing base. She went on to serve as Erie County Clerk and then as a member of Congress for New York’s 26th Congressional District. She most recently served in statewide office as lieutenant governor before becoming the first woman governor in the history of New York State. 

A champion for New York State families 

Gov. Hochul is a fierce advocate for policies that help all New Yorkers make ends meet. As lieutenant governor from 2015 to 2021, she successfully spearheaded numerous initiatives and lead the administration’s economic development and job creation efforts across the state. She has helped New York State manage the COVID-19 pandemic response, while focusing on a recovery that builds back better and more inclusive, and she has chaired the statewide Regional Economic Development Councils. As lieutenant governor, she championed the “Enough is Enough” law to prevent sexual assault on college campuses, spearheaded the state’s Paid Family Leave program, and worked to eliminate the gender wage gap, expand access to affordable child care, and combat sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace and beyond. She served as chair of the state’s Women’s Suffrage Commission and co-chair of the state’s Child Care Availability Task Force. Now serving as chief executive of the Empire State, Gov. Hochul is leading New York forward in this time of unprecedented challenges. 

A trailblazer who defended a critical governorship 

“I want people to believe in their government again,” Gov. Hochul said when she ascended to this office upon her predecessor’s resignation in August of 2021. She is deeply committed to changing the culture of Albany and pursuing a fresh collaborative approach. Entrenched special interests are sure to do everything in their power to unseat Gov. Hochul and return to business as usual, but she has what it takes to build on the progress she has worked so hard to make and to defend this critical governorship. Her governorship serves as a powerful example of the positive impact Democratic pro-choice women can make in executive leadership positions. EMILY’s List has supported Gov. Hochul throughout her outstanding career of service, and is proud to have helped elect this champion for New York women and families to a full term in this critical governorship.