Biden to speak with New York’s Hochul in coming days

President Biden is expected to speak with New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) in the coming days before she officially takes over duties as governor upon Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D) resignation.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Wednesday that Biden had yet to talk with Hochul, but that he will likely connect with her soon.

“He would convey to her: ‘I’m looking forward to working with you … to continue to get the pandemic under control, to put the people of New York back to work, and to move forward as federal and state partners,'” Psaki said when asked for Biden’s message to the incoming governor.

Cuomo on Tuesday announced he would resign, effective in 14 days, after the state attorney general released the findings of a months-long investigation that detailed a pattern of sexual harassment against current and former state employees.

Hochul, who served one term in Congress and has been Cuomo’s lieutenant since 2015, will take over as governor upon Cuomo’s resignation. She will become the state’s first female governor.

“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,” Hochul tweeted Tuesday. “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.”

Biden had called for Cuomo to resign in the wake of the attorney general’s report, which came out last week. On Tuesday, the president said Cuomo has done a “hell of a job” on issues like infrastructure and voting rights.

Questioned later about his assessment of Cuomo’s time in office, Biden said he was commenting on the governor’s leadership on policy issues and not the sexual harassment allegations. Biden said women who make such accusations should be believed when their allegations are backed up by investigations.