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NEW YORK — Gov. Kathy Hochul has promised to select a brand new lieutenant governor, following Tuesday’s resignation of Brian Benjamin, who was compelled to step down following a federal marketing campaign finance indictment.
In an odd twist, many Democrats need her to try to poach the working mate of certainly one of her opponents, CBS2’s Marcia Kramer reported Wednesday.
“When the Javits Middle is again, when the auto present is again, that’s the clearest signal that New York is again,” Hochul mentioned.
Hochul welcomed the Worldwide Auto Present again to town as if every little thing is hunky dory regular in her world, as if her hand-picked quantity two, Benjamin, did not upend her world when he walked out of federal court docket after being indicted on bribery and fraud prices.
“I will discover a actual associate. We’d like a little bit little bit of time, however we will proceed to [work] to get it proper,” Hochul mentioned.
READ MORE: New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin resigns following indictment on bribery prices
The governor promised to select a brand new lieutenant governor to serve till the tip of the 12 months, when Benjamin’s time period is up. The extra perplexing downside is what to do concerning the upcoming Democratic main, when the one strategy to get Benjamin’s identify off the poll is to have him transfer to a different state, die, or run for an additional workplace — none of which is probably going.
Some Democrats have recommended she simply poach main opponent Tom Suozzi’s working mate, Diana Reyna, a Dominican girl who served within the Metropolis Council and as deputy Brooklyn borough president. The governor appeared nonplussed when she was requested about that on Wednesday.
“I’ve not even heard that rumor. That is, um, so, no, that is very early within the course of. I’ve acquired lots of people to think about and we’ll be going via the background vetting course of to find out one of the best route ahead,” Hochul mentioned.
Whereas the governor claimed ignorance of the rumor, Suozzi and Reyna had been bombarded with questions concerning the chance. Suozzi instructed Kramer that everybody ought to endorse Reyna.
“It is very clear that everyone, together with the governor, together with the Democratic get together, ought to endorse Diana Reyna for lieutenant governor. She’s the absolute best candidate,” Suozzi mentioned.
The fly within the ointment for Hochul is that Reyna has endorsed Suozzi for governor and isn’t prepared to leap ship.
“Kathy Hochul bought herself into this mess and she or he has to now determine get herself out of it,” Reyna mentioned.
The choice of a working mate is essential as a result of New York historical past reveals that usually that particular person is named on to really turn into governor on brief discover. Simply ask David Paterson, who bought the job when Eliot Spitzer resigned in a intercourse scandal, or Hochul, herself, who needed to exchange Andrew Cuomo.
Till Hochul fills Benjamin’s slot, Senate Majority Chief Andrea Stewart-Cousins will function appearing lieutenant governor, maybe till the tip of the 12 months.
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