By: Teddy Grant

New York’s Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul is poised to become the state’s first female governor following the shocking resignation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, 63, on Tuesday.

Hochul, 62, who joined Cuomo’s team during the 2014 election, has been largely cut off from the governor; the two have not spoken since February, the New York Times reported.

According to CNN, Hochul worked on raising the minimum wage in New York to $15, advocated for paid family leave, and led Cuomo’s “Enough is Enough” program, which took on sexual assaults on college campuses.

In a statement, Hochul said she agreed with Cuomo’s decision to step down from office and is ready to become New York’s next governor.

“As someone who has served at all levels of government and is next in the line of succession, I am prepared to lead as New York State’s 57th Governor,” she wrote.

I agree with Governor Cuomo's decision to step down. It is the right thing to do and in the best interest of New Yorkers.

As someone who has served at all levels of government and is next in the line of succession, I am prepared to lead as New York State’s 57th Governor.

— Kathy Hochul (@LtGovHochulNY) August 10, 2021

Cuomo’s resignation comes after a bombshell report from New York’s Attorney General Letitia James’ office that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women by engaging in “unwelcome and nonconsensual touching.”

During Cuomo’s resignation, he continued to deny the allegations against him, but said that staying in office would not be in the best interest of New Yorkers.

“I’m a New Yorker, born and bred. I’m a fighter and my instinct is to fight through this controversy because I truly believe it is politically motivated, I believe it is unfair and it is untruthful and I believe it demonizes behavior that is unsustainable for society,” Cuomo said. “New York tough means New York loving, and I love New York, and I love you. I would never want to be unhelpful in any way.”

Cuomo will resign from office in 14 days.