Who Is Kathy Hochul? New York Governor Profile
A profile of New York Governor Kathy Hochul covering her career, policy actions, and AI chatbot safety legislation.
Kathy Hochul is the governor of New York, serving as the first female governor of the state.
At Ban the Bots, we track the people and organizations fighting AI: the activists, union leaders, lawmakers, plaintiffs, researchers and founders pushing back on how AI is built and used.
Hochul previously served as lieutenant governor of New York, represented New York's 26th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, and was elected to a full term as governor in 2022.
Where Kathy Hochul Is Now
Gov. Kathy Hochul serves as the governor of New York, having won election to a full term in 2022 after defeating Republican nominee Lee Zeldin (Wikipedia).
- Current role: Governor of New York
- Organization: State of New York
- Known for: First female governor of New York
- Recent news: Signed legislation establishing safeguards for minors interacting with AI chatbots
Education and Early Career
Hochul graduated from Syracuse University in 1980, where she served as student government vice president during her undergraduate years (Wikipedia). She earned a Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law in 1984 (Wikipedia).
Hochul learned how to draft a press release from Tim Russert while volunteering for Daniel Patrick Moynihan (Politico). She also worked as legal counsel and legislative assistant to U.S. Representative John LaFalce and U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (Wikipedia).
Local Appointments and Congressional Service
Hochul was appointed to the Hamburg Town Board on January 3, 1994 (Wikipedia). In April 2007, she was appointed Erie County Clerk by Governor Eliot Spitzer (Wikipedia).
Hochul won a special election in May 2011 to represent New York's 26th congressional district and served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2013 (Wikipedia). During her first weeks in Congress, she cosponsored legislation with Brian Higgins to streamline the passport application process (Wikipedia).
New York State Executive Leadership
Hochul served as lieutenant governor of New York after running on Andrew Cuomo's ticket in the 2014 election (Wikipedia). She later became the first female governor of New York and won election to a full term as governor in 2022 (Wikipedia).
In February 2026, Hochul selected Adrienne Adams as her running mate (FOX 5 NY).
Legislation and Policy Initiatives
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed two bills targeting safety concerns in homes, nurseries and playrooms (WKTV). She signed a bill creating safeguards for minors interacting with AI chatbots, stating the legislation aims to expand on the state's Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation for Kids Act (IAPP). She also signed legislation mandating security features and warning labels on baby monitors sold in New York (WKTV).
In public education, Hochul implemented a bell-to-bell personal device ban for students in New York public schools (FOX 5 NY). She announced that New York State would continue to fully fund its universal free school meals program, securing a $395 million investment in the program in New York's FY27 Enacted Budget (Observer Today).
On energy policy, Hochul committed to expanding nuclear power in New York beyond what the country has built in the last three decades and stated that she submitted a proposal to President Trump on unlocking nuclear power projects more quickly and at lower cost (Fox News). Additionally, Hochul told Politico she was excited by the idea of a Democratic Congress investigating and holding up Donald Trump's agenda (Fox News).
Sources
More people pushing back on AI are mapped in our guide to who is fighting AI, and the unions, companies and governments drawing the line are tracked on Fighting Back.
Frequently asked questions
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