Photos: YouTube\Darren McGee\Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul
On Thursday, Governor Kathy Hochul officially announced that Brian Benjamin, a Democratic state senator from Harlem, will fill the second highest-ranking role in New York’s government.
“I believe that governing is about working together. Teamwork is the essence of effective leadership, and it is more important than ever as we confront the urgent problems facing the state,” Hochul said. “My administration is going to attract the best and the brightest — people who share my values of working hard for the people of this state and who will get the job done – and that includes the newest member, Sen. Brian Benjamin. There is so much work to do, and I am grateful to have him by my side as we implement our vision for a safer, healthier and fairer New York.”
Benjamin spoke about his faith in working as the Lieutenant Governor with Governor Hochul.
“Gov. Hochul is someone I have a lot of faith in. Iit’s not just because we did so many important things together over my four years as being a state senator,” Benjamin said. “It’s because of the moments we had, the conversations we had, where I was able to see inside her heart. And I knew the kind of person she was before she had power. And you can tell a lot about someone before they have that power.
Benjamin characterized Governor Hochul as “a kind woman, a person of integrity, a person who believes that constituent services matter and believes that it’s bigger than us, it’s about the people of the state of New York. That is your governor … This is a woman who cares about the entire state.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement on Benjamin’s appointment as the new Lieutenant Governor of New York:
“State Senator Brian Benjamin has long been a champion for communities in New York City, and as our next Lieutenant Governor, I know he will continue this fight for all New Yorkers. His track record and commitment to public service will help advance our state, and I look forward to working with him in his new capacity. Congratulations to our new Lieutenant Governor, Brian Benjamin. I know you will serve New Yorkers well.”
Renae Reynolds, Executive Director of Tri-State Transportation Campaign, released the following statement praising Benjamin’s selection:
“We commend Governor Hochul for picking Brian Benjamin as her second-in-command. Mr. Benjamin, is an African American, Harlem native, who will bring diversity of both background and geography to the administration. After representing Harlem, an environmental-justice community, in the state senate, we look forward to the perspective Mr. Benjamin will bring to his new post. We also look forward to working with him to ensure better public health outcomes in communities that face disproportionate disparities across the State.”
“As a top priority, New York City’s congestion pricing plan is mission critical for generating a new revenue stream for the MTA, reducing traffic congestion in Manhattan, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality in vulnerable communities. As the city recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, the new governor and lieutenant governor must move quickly to implement congestion pricing fully and fairly, provide more frequent subway, bus, and commuter rail service, and build out a more accessible transit network.”
