Told mostly in the voices of reporters, Kathy Hochul’s first campaign ad makes no mention of the scandal that brought her to power, or that she spent more than six years serving with former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Instead, the ad highlights her first few weeks as governor, as she became the first woman to ever hold the office.

“All of the reporters said things, stepping up, she means business, she’s in charge, she’s going to push ahead," said NY1 political analyst and Fordham University professor Christina Greer. "She is essentially using other people’s language to describe her and her era.”


What You Need To Know

  • Gov. Hochul plans to run for a full term next year and has now released her first campaign ad

  • The ad uses mostly the voices of reporters to tell the story of Hochul’s first few weeks in office

  • The Democratic primary for governor is next June, and it could be a crowded field

One of the two times you actually hear Hochul’s voice is toward the end of the 2 minute and 15 second spot, where she pulls from one of her very first speeches after taking over as governor: 

“I know New Yorkers. They are hardwired to persevere. And the prevail. And the promise I made to all New Yorkers right here and right now, I will fight like hell for you every single day,” she says in the ad

As soon as she was sworn in, Hochul had an eye on the election. To that end, she has been steadily raising money around the state, hoping to build a large warchest.

Political observers say Hochul is already feeling the heat of a possible primary challenge next year, with the most notable potential challenger being State Attorney General Letitia James.

“Obviously, the last few months, Tish James has made quite a name for herself, not just in New York state but across the country," Greer said. "So these are questions Kathy Hochul probably has not only about policy, but dipping into fundraising, and how both she and Tish James would make history of elected.”

Other potential candidates could include Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Mayor Bill de Blasio. It could end up a crowded field in next June’s Democartic primary.

Editors note: A previous version states that Chrisitna Greer worked as a law professor. She works in the political science department.