New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) has tapped New York state Sen. Brian Benjamin (D) as her lieutenant governor, according to multiple reports.
The New York Times and New York 1 reported on Wednesday that Hochul picked the Manhattan-area state senator as her second-in-command. Benjamin represents portions of Harlem and the Upper West Side.
Hochul is slated to make a formal announcement later this week, according to the Times.
The Hill has reached out to Hochul and Benjamin’s offices.
Hochul’s decision to tap Benjamin is a sign of her efforts to diversify the Democratic ticket ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, with Hochul as the first woman to serve as governor and Benjamin, who is a Black man. Additionally, the choice shows how Hochul, who hails from the western New York city of Buffalo, is working to appeal to New York City-area voters.
Benjamin is also seen as a progressive Democrat, focusing heavily on police and criminal justice reform. He was first elected to the state Senate in 2016 and launched his campaign for New York City comptroller last year before coming in fourth place in the Democratic primary.
News of the pick comes one day after Hochul was formally sworn in as governor, replacing former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) who faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.