Hochul announces Benjamin as pick for lieutenant governor
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced state Sen. Brian Benjamin as her choice for lieutenant governor Thursday in the senator’s Harlem district, where the two promised to work together to address the ongoing pandemic and get COVID-19 relief into New Yorkers’ pockets.
Hochul, the former lieutenant governor, took office Tuesday after the resignation of Andrew Cuomo amid a sexual harassment scandal. Hochul, who plans to run in the Democratic gubernatorial primary in June, and Benjamin spoke Thursday alongside longtime Cuomo allies who ultimately called on him to resign: Rev. Al Sharpton and NAACP New York State Conference President Hazel Dukes.
Benjamin will be sworn-in “right after Labor Day,” Hochul said.