Kathy Hochul took oath as as New York’s first female governor shortly on Tuesday, replacing Andrew Cuomo, who resigned amid multiple scandals, including a report from the state attorney general that found he sexually harassed 11 women. Hochul is a Democrat from western New York.

Hochul took control of a state that is desperate to get back on track after months of distractions over sexual harassment allegations against former governor Andrew Cuomo.

She told the local television station in Buffalo, WGRZ, she felt “the weight of responsibility” and promised New Yorkers: “I won’t let them down.”

Also read: #MeToo Take 2? Movement’s strength hailed amid Andrew Cuomo fallout

After assuming her office, she appointed two women o top administrative appointments. Elizabeth Fine will be her new legal counsel and her top aide, a position known as secretary to the governor, will be Karen Persichilli Keogh.

Appointing a lieutenant governor will be her the biggest appointment on her to-do list. Hochul has positioned herself generally as a moderate Democrat. But, she spent a year in Congress in 2011 representing a relatively conservative and rural area of upstate New York. She said that she will pick a more progressive figure from New York City for the role.

Also read: Andrew Cuomo probe: The ripple effect of the sexual misconduct allegations

After Hochul’s appointment, the total number of female governors in the US is nine – tying a record set in 2004 and repeated in 2007 and 2019. 

The new governor may earn her a honeymoon period in the job because of history-breaking stature as the first female governor of New York, there are pressures bearing down on her it may not last long. Rise in COVID cases due to the Delta variant will be her biggest challenge. 

She is also facing ongoing economic turmoil amid the pandemic.