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Hochul's first major item as governor was meeting with the leaders of the New York State Assembly and Senate. She laid out the state's top priorities, reopening schools safely, increasing vaccinations, preparing for vaccine booster shots and speeding up the delivery of rent assistance money to needy New Yorkers.

\"We are unified in our sense of urgency that that money gets out to the people in need,\" the governor said.

The Buffalo native and upstate resident vowed to choose a lieutenant governor from the downstate region.

Friedman added that Hochul's announcement that she would run for re-election next year would help her during her transition. Now constituents and other leaders won't have to spend time pondering about her political future and can focus on policy, according to the professor.

\"That's a take-charge move and she did it quickly,\" Friedman said.

At the same time, knowing Hochul will spend next year campaigning does open her up to more scrutiny, Greer said. Every action she takes in office will be brought up in addition to any of her past work during an election run, according to Greer.

\"She's taking a gamble on herself,\" Greer said.

Hochul addressed one of her ideological changes during her Aug. 11 news conference after a reporter asked about her previous opposition to a state law that allowed undocumented immigrants to apply for driver's licenses. The governor praised the law and said that her views on it changed like a lot of other New Yorkers.

\"PHOTO:
Jeenah Moon/AP, FILE
PHOTO: Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks to the media during a news conference, Aug. 18, 2021, in New York. Hochul will be inaugurated governor on Aug. 24, after the resignation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
>

Friedman said Hochul's transparency is already a good first step to earning her trust with constituents.

No matter what the next few months may bring, the political experts said Hochul's administration will be a defining moment not just for the state but also for women in politics. Friedman said Hochul is fully aware of her historic role and would work to ensure that it adds a positive chapter to New York's history books.

\"I know a lot of women are looking forward to seeing her take charge,\" she said. \"It's going to be an exciting moment for the state.\"

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