Governor Kathy Hochul of New York, a Democrat, has undergone a significant political transformation over the years.
Once a staunch supporter of Second Amendment rights and an opponent of granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, Hochul now champions gun control measures and supports the issuance of licenses to illegal individuals. Her endorsement of socialist New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani further underscores her shift from her earlier political stances.
According to The Post Millennial, Hochul's political journey began in 1994 when she was appointed to the Hamburg Town Board, later securing a full term with backing from both Democrat and conservative voters. Her early political career was marked by a moderate to conservative approach, including a strong stance against illegal immigration.
As Erie County Clerk, appointed by then-Governor Eliot Spitzer in 2007, she opposed Spitzer's proposal to allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses, even threatening to arrest those who attempted to do so at her office.
In 2012, Hochul ran for Congress and received an endorsement from the National Rifle Association. She defended her pro-Second Amendment stance, stating, "I have said all along, as a county clerk, one of my responsibilities was to issue pistol permits, make sure background checks were accomplished. I had relationships with the second amendment community because they were my constituents. And there's a lot of people up here who are sportsmen. People like to target practice and I want to make sure they know they have the right to continue those activities."
Hochul's ascent to the governorship in 2021 followed the resignation of Andrew Cuomo, who stepped down amid allegations of sexual harassment brought forth by Attorney General Letitia James. Although Cuomo's charges were eventually dropped, Hochul took over as governor and quickly made her mark by nominating a pro-life, pro-business judge to New York's highest court.
After completing Cuomo's term, Hochul ran for governor in her own right in 2022, narrowly defeating Republican Lee Zeldin. Her victory set the stage for a potential showdown with Congresswoman Elise Stefanik in 2026. As governor, Hochul has embraced policies that align with a more progressive agenda, including the signing of legislation that permits illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses in New York State.
The Post Millennial has reached out to Governor Hochul for her comments on these developments. Her political evolution reflects a broader trend within the Democratic Party, where traditional values and conservative principles are increasingly giving way to more progressive policies.
As Hochul continues to navigate her role as governor, her shifting positions may play a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape of New York and beyond.
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