Hochul wanted White House appointment in exchanging for leaving Cuomo ticket (reports)

Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks from behind a podium at an event

Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks at an event in New York City in August.Mary Altaffer | AP Photo

Albany, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul sought a job in President Joe Biden’s administration in exchange for being replaced on the New York Democratic gubernatorial ticket in 2022, according to multiple news reports.

Hochul wanted to be appointed ambassador to either Ireland or Canada, but aides were “laughed out of the room” when they made the pitch, according to the New York Post. The White House instead offered a role as an undersecretary and Hochul agreed to work in the Commerce Department.

Discussions ended as a sexual harassment scandal engulfed former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and eventually forced him to resign, the Post said.

Cuomo’s office told Hochul earlier this year he wanted her to leave the ticket, according to The Washington Post. At the time, Cuomo was preparing to run for a fourth term and expecting a difficult race.

Cuomo was considering picking someone who could help him in minority communities, including several Black women, The Washington Post said.

A spokeswoman for Hochul did not respond to requests for comment from the Post. Spokespeople for Cuomo and the White House declined to comment.

Hochul took over for Cuomo after he resigned in August. She will serve out the rest of his term and has said she will run for a four-year term of her own in 2022.

She faces several possible primary challengers, including state Attorney Letitia James, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. Republican U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin is considered the leading Republican candidate.

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