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New York’s newest governor has reportedly selected a Black state senator from Harlem to serve as the state’s second-highest ranking official.
According to multiple reports, Gov. Kathy Hochul tapped state Sen. Brian Benjamin to serve as lieutenant governor.
Hochul –– who was sworn in Tuesday (August 24) two weeks after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned amid sexual misconduct allegations –– is expected to announce her official pick for lieutenant governor later this week.
After getting the top job, Hochul selected New York Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins to temporarily serve in the role. Stewart-Cousins is the first Black woman to serve in the position.
Sen. Benjamin is considered a progressive Democrat whose career has focused on police and criminal justice reform. He was first elected to the state senate in 2016 and represents Harlem and the Upper West Side of NYC.
A native of Harlem, Benjamin serves as the Senior Assistant Majority Leader and as the chairman for the Revenue and Budget Committee. He attended Brown University and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Hochul’s selection for lieutenant governor comes as she gears up for the governor’s election next year.
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