Kathy Hochul became the first female governor of New York at the stroke of midnight Tuesday, after months of allegations against Andrew Cuomo.
The Democrat from western New York was being sworn in as governor in a brief, private ceremony overseen by the state’s chief judge, Janet DiFiore.
Her ascent to the top job was a history-making moment as she becomes the first female Governor of New York.
Cuomo left office at 12:00 a.m, two weeks after he announced he would resign rather than face a likely impeachment battle. He submitted his resignation letter late Monday to the leaders of the state Assembly and Senate.
On his final day in office, Cuomo released a pre-recorded farewell address in which he defended his record over a decade as New York’s governor and portrayed himself as the victim of a “media frenzy.”
Hochul was scheduled to have a ceremonial swearing-in event Tuesday morning at the New York State Capitol. She planned to meet with legislative leaders later in the morning and make a public address at 3 p.m.
