Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation as governor of New York on Tuesday, August 10th after eleven sexual assault allegations. His Lt. Gov., Kathy Hochul, will be his replacement, and many Americans are wondering who she is.

The 62-year-old moderate has had a long career in politics, running all the way back to her volunteer work at her local Democratic Party headquarters in high school. After graduating with a law degree from Catholic University in Washington D.C., she served on the Hamburg Town Board for 14 years. A few years (and one Congressional term) later, Hochul was elected as Cuomo’s Lieutenant Governor in 2014. Since becoming Lieutenant Governor of New York, Hochul has gained the reputation of having a busy travel schedule, making a habit to visit New York’s 62 counties every year to truly see what was needed in New York communities. As the years went by and Cuomo rose to political stardom, Hochul remained left in the background. She claims that the two didn’t have much of a relationship at all, and that she had not spoken to Cuomo since February of this year. Last week, she voiced her opinion on the allegations against him and claimed they were “repulsive and unlawful.”

Hochul’s supporters have said that she is more than prepared to take on the job of governor, and Hochul herself believes that she is ready. “I am fully prepared to assume the responsibilities as the 57th governor of the state of New York” Hochul said in her first news conference as governor-to-be. She continued on, stating that no one would ever describe her workplace as “toxic” and that her main focus was to take on the Covid crisis and bring back the economy.

Hochul stated in an interview with NBC’s Today Show that she is planning on re-instating a mask mandate and working with New York school districts through concerns they have with the current pandemic. “That is the job of the governor, to make sure that we have that data and make the right decisions for New Yorkers.” When asked whether or not she was going to run for her own term next year, Hochul replied “Yes, I will.”

The governor-to-be will face many set backs once she is declared governor, such as a surge in Covid cases, concerns with financial aid for undocumented workers, and the thousands of New Yorkers facing possible evictions. While these problems will be difficult to navigate, Hochul’s experience radiates hope for the state’s condition.

“The promise I make to all New Yorkers, right here and right now, [is] I will fight like hell for you every single day, like I’ve always done and always will.” Hochul is set to take office on August 24th.